Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Child PTSD Symptom Scale

Objective: Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS) were examined in a sample of young individuals who experienced a severe earthquake. Method: Subjects were 479 children and adolescents recruited from schools after 18 months of Van earthquake. Mean age was 12.83 (SD +/- 1.88), ranging from 8 to 18. Results: Psychometric features were generally good for the CPSS. The original three-factor structure was replicated in this study. Internal consistency of the scale was good (ranged from alpha =.70 to alpha =.89 for total and subscale scores). The CPSS demonstrated good convergent validity with Child Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index scores as well as good divergent validity with the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children and Child Depression Inventory. As an evidence for a good discriminant validity, the CPSS successfully distinguished high PTSD individuals from low PTSD individuals. Conclusion: The CPSS had sound psychometric properties in a Turkish youth population. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.