Darryl, a cartoon-based measure of cardinal posttraumatic stress symptoms in school-age children

Objectives. This report examines the reliability and validity of Darryl, a cartoon-based measure of the cardinal symptoms of posttraumatic stress diso rder (PTSD). Methods. We measured exposure to community violence through the reports of children and their parents and then administered Darryl to a sample of 110 children aged 7 to 9 residing in urban neighborhoods with high crime rates. Results. Darryl's reliability is excellent overall and is acceptable for th e reexperiencing, avoidance, and arousal subscales, considered separately. Child reports of exposure to community violence were significantly associat ed with childl reports of PTSD symptoms. Conclusions. Darryl possesses acceptable psychometric properties in assampl e of children with frequent exposure to community violence.