Diagnostic validity of the PC-PTSD screen in college students

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the diagnostic validity of the Primary Care PTSD screen (PC-PTSD) in a generalizable college sample and to examine potential differences in its predictive efficacy according to sex and racial/ethnic identity. An exploratory aim was to determine whether PC-PTSD symptom items differentially predicted PTSD diagnostic status. Participants: Data from 475 undergraduates were analyzed. Methods: Logistic regressions were conducted to examine the relationship between different PC-PTSD endorsement thresholds and probable PTSD among various subsamples. Follow-up tests of diagnostic accuracy were performed. Results: Results of this study indicated that the PC-PTSD identified PTSD among college students with poor accuracy. Furthermore, the PC-PTSD did not demonstrate equal predictive validity across neither sex nor racial/ethnic identity. Endorsement of reexperiencing symptoms appeared to be the strongest predictor of PTSD. Conclusions: Results highlight the clear need for a validated PTSD screener effective for a diverse college population.

Keywords:

• Brief screen
• college
• PC-PTSD
• PTSD
• trauma

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States of America and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Virginia Commonwealth University.

Additional information

Funding

Spit for Science has been supported by Virginia Commonwealth University, P20 AA017828, R37AA011408, K02AA018755, and P50 AA022537 from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), and UL1RR031990 from the National Center for Research Resources and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Roadmap for Medical Research. Dr. Hawn’s time for this project was funded by NIAAA F31 AA025820. She is now at Boston University School of Medicine and the National Center for PTSD in Boston, MA. Dr. Amstadter’s time is supported by NIAAA K02 AA023239. Dr. Sheerin’s time is supported by K01-AA025692. Shannon Cusack’s time is supported by F31-AA027703.