Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD (M-PTSD) Test
How the Scales are Structured
Who Usually Takes This Test?
See How You Compare
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.
Example Questions From the Test
- Completely false
- Sometimes true
- Somewhat true
- True
- Completely true
- Completely false
- Sometimes true
- Somewhat true
- True
- Completely true
- Completely false
- Sometimes true
- Somewhat true
- True
- Completely true
Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD (M-PTSD) Test - Description and methodology of the test
People reflecting on trauma-related changes after military service may use the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD (M-PTSD) Test to organize experiences that are difficult to describe. It is intended for self-reflection on intrusive memories, emotional shifts, anger, guilt, relationships, sleep, and adjustment. As a combat-related PTSD assessment, it offers a severity-oriented result that can help identify patterns deserving closer attention.
What This Assessment Explores
The questionnaire examines posttraumatic stress reactions linked to traumatic military experiences. Its items address intrusive memories and nightmares, feeling transported back to the past, avoidance, emotional numbness, guilt, hopelessness, irritability, concentration, sleep, relationships, work, and using substances or medication to cope. These themes make the Mississippi PTSD scale relevant to people considering how trauma may still shape emotions, behavior, and everyday adjustment.
The result summarizes overall symptom severity rather than identifying one isolated problem. It is most useful as a broad pattern considered alongside current circumstances and personal history.
The questions group into these practical areas:
- The Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD, scored from 39-175, summarizes the overall severity pattern rather than a single symptom.
- Re-experiencing and reminders show how strongly memories, dreams, or situations revive the traumatic experience.
- Avoidance, numbing, and relationships indicate distance from feelings, people, or reminders.
- Arousal, mood, coping, and adjustment reflect anger, sleep, concentration, guilt, hopelessness, and daily functioning.
Methodology and Scientific Basis
Each statement uses an ordered self-report response. Choices range from Completely false to Completely true, Not at all true to Completely true, or Never to Always. Respondents judge their own experience, not an idealized self-image.
Responses form one total, not separate subscores. Results show Lower severity (39-69) or Elevated severity (70-175). The elevated band is not a universal diagnostic cutoff: the scale is not intended for primary PTSD screening, and normative data for healthy populations are unavailable. Research samples may average around 83, but that figure is context, not a personal benchmark.
The evidence base is the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD (Keane et al., 1988), with reliability and validity findings from McFall et al. (1990). This questionnaire is conceptually consistent with that instrument but is not an established or validated adaptation; those studies do not establish performance in this digital form.
Self-report results can shift with memory, distress, wording, and willingness to disclose. As a PTSD symptom severity test, interpret the result alongside history, functioning, and immediate safety, especially when responses involve hopelessness or self-harm.
- Keane, T. M., Caddell, J. M., & Taylor, K. L. (1988). Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Three studies in reliability and validity. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 56(1), 85–90. 10.1037/0022-006X.56.1.85
- McFall, M. E., Smith, D. E., Mackay, P. W., & Tarver, D. J. (1990). Reliability and validity of Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Psychological Assessment, 2(2), 114–121. 10.1037/1040-3590.2.2.114
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