The Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS) is a child version of the Foa et al. (1997) Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PTDS) for adults. This self-report measure assesses the frequency of all DSM-IV-defined PTSD symptoms and was also designed to assess PTSD diagnosis. The first 17 items measure PTSD symptomatology and yield a total Symptom Severity score. Seven additional items assess daily functioning and functional impairment.
Overview
CPSS
Foa, E. B., Johnson, K. M., Feeny, N. C., & Treadwell, K. R. H. (2001). The Child PTSD Symptom Scale: A preliminary examination of its psychometric properties. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 30(3), 376-384.
Administration
Measure has a 17-item PTSD symptom scale and a 7-item scale assessing functional impairment. PTSD Symptoms: 4-point Likert scale 0=Not at all or only at one time; 1=Once in a week or less/once in a while; 3=2 to 4 times a week/half the time; 4=5 or more times a week/almost always. Measure has a 17-item PTSD symptom scale and a 7-item scale assessing functional impairment. PTSD Symptoms: 4-point Likert scale: 0 = Not at all or only at one time 1 = Once in a week or less/once in a while 3 = 2 to 4 times a week/half the time 4 = 5 or more times a week/almost always Functional Impairment: dichotomous
| Domains | Scale | Sample |
|---|---|---|
| PTSD | Reexperiencing | Having bad dreams or nightmares. |
| Daily Functioning | Not Available | Indicate if problems you rated in Part 1 have gotten in way with . . . fun and hobby activities. |
Psychometrics
No norms. Analyses suggest no age effects, but girls report greater total CPSS scores and higher scores on symptom clusters (Foa et al., 2001).
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| Type | Rating | Statistics | Min | Max | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test-Retest | |||||
| Internal Consistency | |||||
| Inter-rater | |||||
| Parallel/Alternate Forms |
| Validity Type | Not known | Not found | Nonclincal Samples | Clinical Samples | Diverse Samples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convergent/Concurrent | |||||
| Discriminant | |||||
| Sensitive to Change | |||||
| Intervention Effects | |||||
| Longitudinal/Maturation Effects | |||||
| Sensitive to Theoretically Distinct Groups | |||||
| Factorial Validity |
| Not Known | Not Found | Nonclinical Samples | Clinical Samples | Diverse Samples | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Predictive Validity: | |||||
| Postdictive Validity: |
Translations
Pros & Cons/References
1. The CPSS includes all symptoms of PTSD as assessed using the DSM-IV.
2. Because symptoms are assessed using a Likert scale, the measure may be more sensitive to change than are other measures that provide a dichotomous assessment of specific symptoms.
3. The measure assesses functional impairment. Many PTSD measures do not do this.
4. The measure is free and easily available.
5. It is brief.
6. It is easy to administer and to score.
7. The measure has been translated into Spanish and other languages.
8. Randomized trials with ethnically diverse children suggest that the measure can detect change in PTSD symptoms that are due to treatment.
1. The CPSS needs to be examined with larger and more diverse samples in order to examine its generalizability in terms of diverse demographics and trauma exposure.
2. Developmentally inappropriate language, especially with the younger children, may be an issue. The measure is said to be for children aged 8 (grade 3), but the reading level of some items (e.g., having upsetting thoughts or images about the event that came into your head when you didn't want to) has a Flesh-Kincaid grade level of 8.5.
3. Although the measure was designed to allow assessment of a diagnosis of PTSD, specific information is not provided regarding how to use the measure to diagnose children. In addition, more research is needed examining the validity of the CPSS as a diagnostic tool.
4. NOT A CON: More research is needed examining the psychometrics of the different language versions.