Low specificity of symptoms on the post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom scale: A comparison of individuals with PTSD, individuals with other anxiety disorders and individuals without psychopathology
Abstract
Objectives Screening for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) takes place in clinical and research settings where diagnostic interviews are not feasible, and typically relies on self‐report instruments like the PTSD symptom scale (PSS). Concerns have been raised about the specificity of PTSD symptoms assessed by questionnaires. This study examined whether the PSS distinguishes between patients with PTSD and those with other anxiety disorders or healthy controls. Design A between‐participants design was employed. Methods The participants were 65 individuals with PTSD, 40 individuals with other anxiety disorders and 40 healthy controls. They completed the PSS with respect to a range of stressful life‐events. Results Using this instrument, 86% of individuals with PTSD and 5% of healthy controls endorsed sufficient symptoms to meet the PTSD diagnosis. This was also the case for 43% of individuals with other anxiety disorders, and self‐reported symptoms related to traumatic events and aversive events that are generally not considered traumatic. Conclusions The findings suggest that many people screened positive for PTSD may actually be suffering from another anxiety disorder.
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The cross-sectional sample's mean PSS-SR score was significantly higher than Engelhard et al.'s student sample mean of 2.5.
“this score was significantly higher than a reference group of students included in a study by Engelhard et al. (2007), M = 9.8 versus M = 2.5, t(313) = 18.14, p < .001”
From Experiential acceptance and trait‐mindfulness as predictors of analogue post‐traumatic stress. (2018) · cites this paper as Engelhard et al. (2007)
The prospective sample's mean PSS-SR score was significantly higher than Engelhard et al.'s student sample.
“this score was also higher compared to the score of Engelhard et al.'s student sample, t(204) = 13.88,p < .001”
From Experiential acceptance and trait‐mindfulness as predictors of analogue post‐traumatic stress. (2018) · cites this paper as Engelhard et al. (2007)
The cross-sectional sample's mean PSS-SR score was significantly lower than Engelhard et al.'s clinical sample mean of 27.0.
“and lower compared to a clinical sample from that same study, M = 9.8 versus M = 27.0,t(313) = À42.40,p < .001.”
From Experiential acceptance and trait‐mindfulness as predictors of analogue post‐traumatic stress. (2018) · cites this paper as Engelhard et al. (2007)
The prospective sample's mean PSS-SR score was significantly lower than Engelhard et al.'s clinical sample.
“and lower compared to their clinical sample, t(204) = À33.92,p < .001.”
From Experiential acceptance and trait‐mindfulness as predictors of analogue post‐traumatic stress. (2018) · cites this paper as Engelhard et al. (2007)
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- Authors
- Engelhard, I. M., Arntz, A., & Van den Hout, M. A.
- Affiliations
- Utrecht University (NL)
- Maastricht University (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Engelhard, Iris M.
- Venue
- British Journal of Clinical Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2007-11
- Volume
- 46
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 449-456
- ISSN
- 0144-6657 (ISSN-L)
- 2044-8260
- OpenAlex
- W2064623422
- Cited by
- 122
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 9.10
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- British Journal of Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Publications (Maastricht University) (publishedVersion)
- Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
- Keywords
- post-traumatic stress disorder, symptom specificity, anxiety disorders, screening, self-report questionnaire, diagnostic validity, traumatic events, life events, false positives
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Anxiety Disorders, Diagnosis, Differential, Female, Humans, Male, Netherlands, Personality Inventory, Psychometrics, Sensitivity and Specificity, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Case-Control Studies
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