Psychology RootsPTSD Interview (PTSD-I)
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About PTSD Interview (PTSD-I)
Scale Name
PTSD Interview (PTSD-I)
Author Details
Charles G. Watson, Michael P. Juba, Victor Manifold, Teresa Kucala, and Patricia E. D. Anderson
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The PTSD Interview (PTSD-I), developed by Charles G. Watson, Michael P. Juba, Victor Manifold, Teresa Kucala, and Patricia E. D. Anderson in 1991, is a structured clinical interview designed to assess Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R) criteria. Published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, the PTSD-I was created to meet four specifications: (a) close alignment with DSM-III-R standards, (b) binary (present/absent) and continuous (severity/frequency) symptom outputs, (c) administration by trained subprofessionals, and (d) high reliability and validity. It is used across a wide variety of populations, including veterans, civilians, and diverse age groups, to diagnose PTSD and assess symptom severity in clinical and research settings.
The PTSD-I consists of 17 items corresponding to DSM-III-R PTSD symptoms (e.g., re-experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal), a summary section, and three introductory/filter questions to confirm trauma exposure and establish context. Each symptom item is rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1 = “no/never” to 7 = “extremely/always”), with a score of 4 or higher indicating the criterion is met, balancing sensitivity and specificity. Total scores range from 17 to 119, with higher scores indicating greater PTSD severity. A cut-point of 60 on its self-report adaptation (PTSD-Q) has shown diagnostic efficiency. The scale’s flexibility allows for both diagnostic classification and symptom monitoring, making it valuable for trauma-focused interventions.
Psychologists, clinicians, and researchers use the PTSD-I to diagnose PTSD, evaluate treatment outcomes, and study trauma-related psychopathology in settings like veterans’ hospitals, community clinics, and academic research. Its high reliability, strong validity, and adaptability across populations enhance its utility, though its reliance on DSM-III-R (preceding DSM-5 updates), English-only primary use, and need for trained interviewers may limit accessibility.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the PTSD-I from primary sources, such as Watson et al. (1991) in Journal of Clinical Psychology or authorized research archives, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses trauma-related symptoms to support diagnosis or treatment, emphasizing confidentiality and using trauma-sensitive language.
- Administer individually by a trained interviewer (professional or subprofessional). Begin with the three introductory/filter questions to confirm trauma exposure, then proceed through the 17 symptom items, asking respondents to rate frequency/severity on the 7-point scale. Conclude with the summary section to review findings.
- Approximate time for completion is 20-30 minutes, depending on the respondent’s trauma history and emotional processing.
- Conduct in a quiet, private clinical or research setting, ensuring a safe environment to minimize distress during trauma discussions.
Reliability and Validity
The PTSD-I demonstrates excellent psychometric properties, as reported by Watson et al. (1991). Internal consistency is very high, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.92, indicating strong item cohesion. Test-retest reliability is also excellent, with a total score correlation of 0.95 and diagnostic agreement of 87% over a short interval, reflecting robust stability.
Convergent validity is supported by strong correlations with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) PTSD criteria (total score vs. DIS diagnosis: rbis = 0.94, sensitivity = 0.89, specificity = 0.94, overall hit rate = 0.92, kappa = 0.84). The PTSD-I also correlates with other PTSD measures, such as the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD (r ≈ 0.70-0.80). Discriminant validity is evidenced by weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, such as general intelligence (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to accurately diagnose PTSD in clinical samples (e.g., Vietnam veterans) and its sensitivity to treatment effects. A self-report adaptation (PTSD-Q) validated against the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-IV) showed a cut-point of 60 with sensitivity of 0.81 and specificity of 0.82. Factor analyses are not detailed, but the item structure aligns with DSM-III-R symptom clusters, supporting construct validity. These properties affirm the PTSD-I’s reliability and utility, though its DSM-III-R basis may require cautious interpretation with modern DSM-5 criteria.
Available Versions
22-Items
Reference
Watson, C. G., Juba, M. P., Manifold, V., Kucala, T., & Anderson, P. E. (1991). The PTSD interview: Rationale, description, reliability, and concurrent validity of a DSM‐III‐based technique. Journal of clinical psychology, 47(2), 179-188.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the PTSD-I measure?
It measures PTSD symptoms based on DSM-III-R criteria across re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal.
Who can use the PTSD-I?
Clinicians, psychologists, and researchers assessing PTSD in diverse populations.
How long does the PTSD-I take to complete?
It takes about 20-30 minutes.
Is the PTSD-I specific to certain populations?
No, it’s used across veterans, civilians, and various age groups, though validated primarily with adults.
Can the PTSD-I inform treatment?
Yes, it diagnoses PTSD and monitors symptom changes with high reliability.
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