Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the DSM-5 posttraumatic stress symptom severity scale-child form

Introduction: This study assessed the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the DSM-5 Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Severity Scale-Child Form for use among the Turkish population. Methods: The study group consisted of 30 patients that had been treated in a child psychiatry unit and diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder and 83 healthy volunteers that were attending middle or high school during the study period. For reliability analyses, the internal consistency coefficient and the test-retest correlation coefficient were measured. For validity analyses, the exploratory factor analysis and correlation analysis with the Child Posttraumatic Stress Reaction Index for concurrent validity were measured. Results: The Cronbach’s alpha (the internal consistency coefficient) of the scale was 0.909, and the test-retest correlation coefficient was 0.663. One factor that could explain 58.5% of the variance was obtained and was congruent with the original construct of the scale. As for concurrent validity, the scale showed high correlation with the Child Posttraumatic Stress Reaction Index. Conclusion: It was concluded that the Turkish version of the DSM-5 Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Severity Scale- Child Form can be used as a valid and reliable tool. © 2017 by Turkish Association of Neuropsychiatry.