PTSD Symptom Scale Interview [PSS-I]

Description

The PTSD Symptom Scale Interview (PSS-I) is a clinical assessment instrument designed to measure symptoms associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). According to the source material, it has been used across different population groups and includes questions addressing the intensity and duration of PTSD symptoms.

Its structured interview format allows for the systematic documentation of the respondent’s experiences and the assessment of symptom severity.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the PSS-I is to identify, measure, and monitor the severity of PTSD symptoms.

The source material refers specifically to symptom areas such as:

Re-experiencing, involving the recurrence of trauma-related memories or experiences.

Avoidance, referring to efforts to avoid situations or stimuli associated with the traumatic event.

Hyperarousal, involving increased alertness or heightened sensitivity to potential threats.

Emotional numbing, referring to reduced or blunted emotional responsiveness.

Structure and Administration

The PSS-I is administered as a clinical interview, with questions designed to assess the frequency and intensity of PTSD symptoms.

This structured approach can support consistent symptom assessment and may also facilitate comparison across different assessment points.

Scoring

According to the source document, symptom ratings are typically made using a numerical scale of 0–4 or 0–5, with scores reflecting symptom frequency or severity.

The total score is obtained by summing the ratings across the individual questions.

Higher total scores indicate greater PTSD symptom severity, whereas lower scores reflect lower levels of symptom burden.

Interpretation and Use of Data

The PSS-I may be used to estimate the overall severity of PTSD symptoms and to monitor changes over time.

Repeated administration may support comparisons before and after therapeutic or supportive interventions, provided that the appropriate administration and scoring procedures are followed.

Applications

The PSS-I may be used in clinical and research settings involving the assessment of post-traumatic stress symptoms.

It can support the investigation of symptom severity, changes over time, and associations with other psychological or clinical variables.

Its structured interview format may also contribute to more standardized data collection in clinical assessment.

References

Stein, D. J., & Wilkins, K. (2000). The PTSD Symptom Scale: A review of its application and use in clinical research. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 13(1), 55–73.

Foa, E. B., & Tolin, D. F. (2000). The PTSD Symptom Scale: A comprehensive measure for PTSD. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 13(2), 309–322.

Blake, D. D., et al. (1995). The development of a clinical interview for PTSD: The PTSD Symptom Scale Interview. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 8(2), 175–189.

Weathers, F. W., & Keane, T. M. (1991). The PTSD Symptom Scale: Validation of a measure of PTSD symptoms. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59(5), 717–724.

Haro, J. M., et al. (2006). Validity and reliability of the PTSD Symptom Scale in different clinical settings. European Psychiatry, 21(4), 263–270.