title: Modifying instructions on the posttraumatic stress disorder checklist for military populations does not change symptom reporting.
abstract: This study investigates whether modifying the instructions of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL) for military survey research changes posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom reporting or prevalence. The sample consisted of 1691 soldiers who were randomly assigned to complete 1 of 3 versions of the PCL, which differed only in the wording of the instructions. Group differences in demographic variables, combat exposure, mean PTSD symptoms, and PTSD prevalence estimates were examined. Results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the outcomes across the PCL versions. The findings indicate that researchers may make modifications to the PCL instructions to meet research needs without affecting PTSD symptom reporting or prevalence estimates.
authors.affiliation: Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA. lyndon.riviere@amedd.army.mil
authors.forename: Lyndon A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Riviere
authors.forename: Edward N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Edens
authors.forename: Amy B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Bliese
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Klocko
authors.forename: Charles W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Hoge
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D057189:Checklist / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult