Screening for PTSD among Incarcerated Men: A Comparative Analysis of Computer-Administered and Orally Administered Modalities

Nancy Wolff, Gregory Mchugo, Jing Shi, Jessica Huening, B. Christopher Frueh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Trauma exposure is overrepresented in incarcerated male populations and is linked to psychiatric morbidity, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study tests the feasibility, reliability, and validity of using computer-administered interviewing (CAI) versus orally administered interviewing (OAI) to screen for PTSD among incarcerated men. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used to randomly assign 592 incarcerated men to screening modality. Findings indicate that computer screening was feasible. Compared with OAI, CAI produced equally reliable screening information on PTSD symptoms, with test–retest intraclass correlations for the PTSD Checklist (PCL) total score ranging from.774 to.817, and the Clinician-Administered PTSD scale and PCL scores were significantly correlated for OAI and CAI. These findings indicate that data on PTSD symptoms can be reliably and validly obtained from CAI technology, increasing the efficiency by which incarcerated populations can be screened for PTSD, and those at risk can be identified for treatment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)219-236
Number of pages18
JournalCriminal Justice and Behavior
Volume42
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 22 2015

Keywords

  • criminal justice, PTSD Checklist (PCL)
  • male prisoners
  • posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • trauma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Psychology(all)
  • Law

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