PTSD-PAC - PTSD in Preschool Aged Children

The PTSD-PAC is an 18-item caregiver report measure of PTSD symptoms in young children aged 2-5. It measures symptoms from the DSM-IV criteria B, C, and D. It also includes items from the DC: 0-3 criteria for PTSD in infants and very young children. It should be used for PTSD screening purposes only.

Overview

Acronym: 

PTSD-PAC

Authors: 
Levendosky, A.A., Huth-Bocks, A.C., Semel, M.A., & Shapiro, D.L.
Citation: 

Levendosky, A.A., Huth-Bocks, A.C., Semel, M.A., & Shapiro, D.L. (2002). Trauma symptoms in preschool-age children exposed to violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 17, 150-164.

Contact Information: 

levendo1@msu.edu

Cost: 
Free
Copyrighted: 
No
Domain Assessed: 
Traumatic Stress
Age Range: 
3-5
Measure Type: 
Screening
Measure Format: 
Questionnaire

Administration

Number of Items: 
18
Average Time to Complete (min): 
10
Reporter Type: 
Parent/Caregiver
Average Time to Score (min): 
5
Periodicity: 
None given
Response Format: 

It is a Yes/No format. Yes indicates the presence of symptoms, and No indicates their absence.

Materials Needed: 
Paper/Pencil
Information Provided: 
Areas of Concern/Risks
Continuous Assessment
Diagnostic Info DSM IV
Raw Scores

Training

Other Training to Administer and Interpret: 

There is no training required to administer and only minimal trainng by a psychologist needed to interpret. One would need familiarity with the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD to adequately interpret the measure.

Psychometrics

Clinical Cutoffs: 
Yes
Clinical Cutoffs Description: 

To meet DSM-IV criteria for PTSD, must have 1 Reexperiencing symptom, 3 Avoidance symptoms, and 2 Arousal symptoms.

Translations

Languages: 
English

Pros & Cons/References

Pros: 

Quick to administer and score with items related to DSM-IV criteria for PTSD.

Cons: 

Parent report form only with no direct assessment of the child. 2. The measure has been used with only one small sample of children and has limited psychometrics.

Author Comments: 

Author reviewed, but made no additional comments.

Developer of Review: 
Carla Stover, Ph.D.
Editor of Review: 
Madhur Kulkarni, M.S.
Last Updated: 
Monday, January 20, 2014