Purpose of the Questionnaire (Scale)

The Children’s Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (CPTSD-RI) is primarily intended to assess the presence and severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in children and adolescents. It is mainly addressed to mental health professionals (child psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, etc.), as well as researchers involved in the diagnosis, evaluation, and study of the effects of traumatic experiences in pediatric populations. The scale is used for children who have been exposed to situations that involve threats to their life or safety, such as natural disasters, accidents, violence, or abuse.

Questionnaire (Scale) Analysis

The CPTSD-RI was developed by Roger S. Pynoos and his research team in the 1980s, based on diagnostic criteria from the DSM-III-R and later the DSM-IV. The Greek adaptation and standardization were carried out by G. Kolaitis, M. Liakopoulou, and I. Tsiantis. The scale consists of 20 items that address common symptoms of PTSD, such as trauma re-experiencing, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, and hyperarousal. The questions refer to the child’s experiences during the past two weeks. There are no subscales, but the total score serves as an indicator of symptom intensity.

Scoring of Items

Each item is scored on a four-point scale: 0 = Never true, 1 = Sometimes true, 3 = Very often or always true. The total score is the sum of all item scores and ranges from 0 to 80. Based on the total score, the following severity categories are defined: 12–24 indicates mild PTSD symptoms, 25–39 moderate severity, 40–59 severe form, and ≥60 corresponds to a very severe form of the disorder.

Statistical Analysis

The total score is the main variable for analysis. The maximum value is 80, and the minimum is 0. Higher scores indicate more intense PTSD symptoms. The use of the scale allows for the assessment of symptom severity, the monitoring of a child’s progress or improvement after intervention, and the categorization of populations in research contexts. For example, a child with a score of 18 may not require therapeutic intervention, whereas a child with a score of 45 may require specialized psychological support.

Validity of the Questionnaire (Scale)

The CPTSD-RI demonstrates high content and construct validity, as it is based on the DSM diagnostic criteria. It has been standardized and used in numerous international and Greek studies. Indicatively, the study by Pynoos et al. (1987) analyzed the use of the scale in children who experienced threatening events, while the study by Koplewicz et al. (2003) applied it in Greece in children after the 1999 Athens earthquake.

Reliability of the Questionnaire (Scale)

The reliability of the scale has been established with high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and test-retest reliability indicators. In its Greek version, it shows sufficient reliability according to available research data and has been widely used in both clinical and research applications.

References

Koplewicz, H., Kotsopoulos, J., Tsiantis, J., Haritaki, S., Rigizou, F., Zacharaki, L., Riga, E., Augustoulatou, B., Bimbou, A., Kanari, H., Liakopoulou, M., & Katreoles, P. (2003). Post-traumatic stress reactions among children after the Athens earthquake of September 1999. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 12(6), 273–280.
Pynoos, R. S., Frederick, C., Nader, K., Caery, M., Chowchilla, A. M., Eth, S., Nader, T., & Fairbanks, L. (1987). Life threat and post traumatic stress in school-age children. Archives of General Psychiatry, 44, 1057–1063.