Trauma & PTSD
Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES-R)
A 22-item measure of distress after a specific stressful event.
About this test
The Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES-R) measures distress caused by a specific traumatic event over the past seven days. Bring one particular stressful event to mind as you answer.
What your score means
| Score | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 0–23 | Minimal impact |
| 24–32 | Clinical concern |
| 33–88 | Probable PTSD (clinical) |
Frequently asked questions
What does the IES-R measure?
Current distress from one specific stressful event — it is not a life-long PTSD diagnosis.
What score is meaningful?
Totals around 24 or more warrant attention, and 33 or more is a commonly cited concern threshold. It is a screen, not a diagnosis.
Related screenings
PC-PTSD-5Primary Care PTSD Screen (PC-PTSD-5)PCL-5PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)ASRS-v1.1Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS Screener)
Source: Weiss & Marmar (1997). Free for research and education.