Twenty items mapped to the DSM-5 symptom clusters, rated 0 to 4 over the past month. The PCL-5 is the most widely used self-report measure of PTSD symptom severity, and it is in the public domain.
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PCL-5 · Week 8
In the past month, how much were you bothered by:
1. Repeated, disturbing, and unwanted memories of the stressful experience?
At a glance
The instrument
The PCL-5 is used to screen for probable PTSD, to monitor symptoms during treatment, and as an efficacy endpoint in trials of psychotherapies, medications and digital interventions for PTSD. Because it is self-report and takes about five to ten minutes, it can be completed at home between sessions; many trials pair it with a clinician-administered interview such as the CAPS-5 for the primary endpoint.
The standard version asks about the past month. A weekly version exists for more frequent monitoring; choose one and schedule it to match its recall period. Cluster scores (sums of the items in each DSM-5 cluster) can be reported alongside the total.
PTSD trials often enrol participants with depression and suicidal ideation. The PCL-5 itself does not ask about suicide, so pair it with a structured suicidality assessment such as the C-SSRS where the protocol requires, and give participants clear information about where to get help.
Week 8 total
29 / 80
Structure
| Cluster | Items | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| B: Intrusion | 1 to 5 | Memories, dreams, flashbacks, emotional and physical reactions to reminders |
| C: Avoidance | 6 to 7 | Avoiding memories, thoughts, feelings and external reminders |
| D: Negative cognition and mood | 8 to 14 | Memory gaps, negative beliefs, blame, negative feelings, loss of interest, detachment, numbness |
| E: Arousal and reactivity | 15 to 20 | Irritability, risk-taking, hypervigilance, startle, concentration, sleep |
The PCL-5 is in the public domain (US National Center for PTSD). Use the published wording and official translations.
In Capture
Participants complete the PCL-5 on their own phone from a secure link, in private, which suits a questionnaire about traumatic experiences. Items are coded 0 to 4 with labels, all 20 are required, and the schedule respects the one-month recall period.
From: Capture.Study · Sleep and Recovery Study
Your questionnaire is ready
Hi Anna, your evening diary is open until midnight. Tap the button to start. The link signs you in, no password needed.
Open my tasksQuestions? Reply to reach your study site.
My tasks
Evening diary
Due tonight
Week 4 questionnaire
Opens Monday
Copy the template and preview it on your phone.
Alongside the PCL-5
The PCL-5 measures symptom severity; it does not establish that a qualifying traumatic event occurred. Studies usually pair it with a trauma exposure measure such as the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5, or a structured interview, at screening. For diagnosis and often for the primary endpoint, trials use the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5), with the PCL-5 as a self-report secondary or a more frequent monitoring measure.
When the PCL-5 is given frequently, consider the weekly version so recall periods do not overlap, and keep the index event the same at each administration: participants answer about "the stressful experience" identified at screening.
Before go-live
Past month or past week, matched to the schedule.
At screening, referred to consistently.
Paired at screening where needed.
Paired where the protocol requires.
For a valid total.
At home on the participant's own device.
It has 20 items and usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.
No. It is a self-report measure of symptom severity used for screening and monitoring. Diagnosis needs a clinical interview such as the CAPS-5.
Yes. It was developed by the US National Center for PTSD and is in the public domain.
Twenty items rated 0 to 4 are summed for a total of 0 to 80. Cluster scores sum the items in each DSM-5 cluster.
A total around 31 to 33 is commonly used as a provisional cut-off. Diagnosis should be confirmed by a clinician.
The past month for the standard version; a weekly version exists for frequent monitoring.
No. Pair it with a structured suicidality assessment where the protocol requires.
Public-domain PCL-5 on participants' phones. Free sandbox.