The Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale, or PDS, allows for posttraumatic stress disorders to be detected and diagnosed. The scale is primarily used by psychologists and counselors to investigate presence of PTSD in large groups and patients whom have experience a traumatic event, or to determine the significance of PTSD already present.
This test takes approximately 10 to 15 in order to administer and consists of 49 items. There are four subscales present – PTSD diagnosis, Symptom Severity Score, Symptom Severity Rating, and the Level of Impairment of Functioning.
Author: Edna B. Foa
Where to Purchase
Pearson Assessments
Creative Org Designs
Validity and Reliability
This instrument has strong validity due to its items directly reflecting the post traumatic experience in PTSD. According to Oxford University Journals, the alpha rating for the test is 0.92. Test-retest reliability was calculated to be -.74 representing a two to three week diagnosis of PTSD. A closely related instrument, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM, yielded a high correlation with 0,83 rating.
References
Baekland, F., & Lundwall l. (1975). Dropping out of treatment: A critical review. Psychological Bulletin, 82, 738-783.
Foa, E. B., Cashman, L., Jaycox, L., & Perry K. (1995). The validation of self-report measure of posttraumatic stress disorder: The Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale. Psychological Assessment, 9, 445-451.
Foa, E.B., & Rothbaum, B.O. (1998). Treating the trauma of rape: Cognitive-behavioral therapy for PTSD. New York: Guilford Press.
Klein, R. K., & Schermer, V. L. (2000). Group psychotherapy for psychological trauma. New York: Guilford Press.
