PTSD: National Center for PTSD
Structured Interview for PTSD (SI-PTSD)
Structured Interview for PTSD (SI-PTSD)
Description
The SI-PTSD assesses the 17 PTSD symptoms as well as survival and behavioral guilt. For each item, the interviewer assigns a severity rating that reflects both frequency and intensity. Some items focus more on frequency and some focus more on intensity of symptoms. Scores can also be obtained for "worst ever" symptoms.
Item responses can be used to make a determination about whether client's symptoms meet DSM criteria B, C, and D for PTSD. Items are scored on a scale from 0-4. A symptom is counted as positive if it is at least a 2 (moderate). The interview takes 20-30 minutes to administer if initial screen questions are positive and can be administered by mental health professionals or by paraprofessionals after some training.
Sample Item
Have you experienced painful images or memories of combat or other trauma which you couldn't get out of your mind, even though you may have wanted to? Have these been recurrent?
0 = not at all
1 = mild; rarely and/or not bothersome
2 = moderate; at least once a week, and/or rare but produces significant impairment of function or distress
3 = severe; at least 4 times per week
4 = extremely severe; daily or produces so much impairment that patient cannot work or enter social situations
9 = no information
rate worst ever:
rate past 4 weeks (or other designated period):
References
Davidson, J. R. T., Kudler, H. S., & Smith, R. D. (1990). Assessment and pharmacotherapy of posttraumatic stress disorder. In J. E.L. Giller (Ed.), Biological assessment and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (pp. 205-221). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press. (NOTE: Includes measure in its entirety)
Additional Reviews
Orsillo (2001) (PDF) p. 291
Orsillo, Susan M. (2001). Measures for acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. In M.M. Antony & S.M. Orsillo (Eds.), Practitioner's guide to empirically based measures of anxiety (pp. 255-307). New York: KluwerAcademic/Plenum. PTSDpubs ID 24368
To Obtain Scale
Please email: mail@cd-risc.com.
Measure availability: We provide information on a variety of measures assessing trauma and PTSD. These measures are intended for use by qualified mental health professionals and researchers. Measures authored by National Center staff are available as direct downloads or by request. Measures developed outside of the National Center can be requested via contact information available on the information page for the specific measure.
