The Criterion A problem revisited: controversies and challenges in defining and measuring psychological trauma.
The Criterion A problem in the field of traumatic stress refers to the stressor criterion for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and involves a number of fundamental issues regarding the definition and measurement of psychological trauma. These issues first emerged with the introduction of PTSD as a diagnostic category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III; American Psychiatric Association, 1980) and continue to generate considerable controversy. In this article, the authors provide an update on the Criterion A problem, with particular emphasis on the evolution of the DSM definition of the stressor criterion and the ongoing debate regarding broad versus narrow conceptualizations of traumatic events.
Weathers
Frank W
FW
Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA. weathfw@auburn.edu
Keane
Terence M
TM
D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D011581:Psychological Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D040921:Stress Disorders, Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D009626:Terminology as Topic