Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)
Also known as: CAPS-5, CAPS
The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) is the gold standard structured interview for assessing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults. Developed by Weathers, Litz, and Keane, the CAPS-5 directly operationalizes DSM-5 PTSD diagnostic criteria and assesses the frequency and intensity of symptoms in the four criterion clusters: re-experiencing, avoidance, negative cognition-mood changes, and hyperarousal.
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When to use it
The CAPS-5 is the gold standard for confirming PTSD diagnosis in research, forensic, and clinical settings. It is ideal for comprehensive diagnostic assessment, treatment planning, and measuring treatment response. The CAPS-5 is the standard outcome measure in PTSD treatment trials. It is less practical for rapid screening (use PCL-5 instead) but essential for diagnosis.
Strengths & limitations
- Gold standard PTSD diagnostic interview with direct alignment to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria
- Separate assessment of symptom frequency and intensity allows nuanced severity estimation
- Clinician administration permits probing of symptom coherence, context, and alternative explanations
- Extensive validation across military, veteran, and civilian trauma populations with established diagnostic algorithm
- Requires trained, experienced clinician to administer reliably; training necessary for diagnostic accuracy
- Time-intensive (45–60 minutes); not practical for high-volume screening
- Clinician judgment required; interviewer skill and consistency affect reliability
Frequently asked
What is the difference between CAPS-5 and PCL-5?
CAPS-5 is a clinician-administered diagnostic interview; PCL-5 is a 20-item self-report screener. CAPS-5 is the gold standard for diagnosis with direct probing of symptoms, context, and impairment. PCL-5 is used for screening; scores >30 warrant CAPS-5 follow-up for diagnosis.
What CAPS-5 score indicates PTSD?
A CAPS-5 total score of 31 or above, combined with Criterion A trauma exposure and functional impairment, indicates probable PTSD diagnosis. However, diagnosis also requires clinical judgment; borderline cases or complex presentations require careful assessment.
How long does CAPS-5 administration take?
CAPS-5 typically takes 45–60 minutes for experienced clinicians. Less experienced clinicians may require longer. Complex or lengthy trauma histories may extend administration time.
Can CAPS-5 distinguish PTSD from other trauma-related conditions?
CAPS-5 assesses PTSD specifically but does not directly assess other trauma-related conditions (acute stress disorder, adjustment disorder, complex PTSD). Clinical assessment of symptom pattern, onset timing, and functional impact helps distinguish these.
Sources
- Weathers, F. W., Blake, D. D., Schnurr, P. P., Kaloupek, D. G., Marx, B. P., & Keane, T. M. (2013). The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5). National Center for PTSD. link ↗
- Bovin, M. J., Marx, B. P., Weathers, F. W., Dickstein, B. D., Thompson, K. E., Schnurr, P. P., ... & Keane, T. M. (2008). Psychometric properties of the PTSD Checklist and Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale in combat veterans. Psychological Assessment, 20(1), 22-32. link ↗
How to cite this page
ScholarGate. (2026, June 3). Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5). ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/en/clinical-psychology/caps-5-ptsd
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