An Examination of the Factor Structure of the Trauma Inventory for Partners of Sex Addicts (TIPSA)

Abstract

An Examination of the Factor Structure of the Trauma Inventory for Partners of Sex Addicts (TIPSA) Heidi A. Vogeler Educational Inquiry, Measurement, and Evaluation, BYU Doctor of PhilosophyThe primary purpose of this study was to examine the underlying latent factor structure of the Trauma Inventory for Partners of Sex Addicts (TIPSA), a 53-item assessment designed to assess for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the context of sexual addiction. It was theorized that the factor structure mirrored the 5 core criteria for PTSD as constituted in DSM-5. Data were gathered from 3,199 self-selected respondents (ages 21 to 55) who completed an online version of the TIPSA.Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed utilizing Mplus in order to confirm the hypothesized factor structure of the TIPSA. Several modifications were made to the model, based on factor loadings and modification indices, in order to improve goodness-of-fit. In addition to the original posited model, three other models were also examined: a second-order factor model; a general-factor model; and a bifactor model. The second-order factor model emerged as the model of choice, based on both statistical and theoretical underpinnings.As a result of the findings from this study, revision of the items contained in the TIPSA is recommended. In addition, in order to further establish the validity of the TIPSA as an assessment for PTSD, evaluating convergent and discriminant validity of the TIPSA with other established assessments, such as the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) PTSD Checklist, is also suggested.

The Prevalence of Domestic Violence in the Lives of Female Heterosexual Partners of Sex Addicts

“…While originally coined by psychologist Jennifer Freyd in 1991 to describe childhood sexual abuse ( Vogeler et al, 2020 ), the term “betrayal trauma” would be expanded, in the second decade of the new millennium, to encompass trauma from “sexual infidelity” ( Freyd & Birrell, 2013 ). This inclusion would help to further acceptance in the therapeutic community of the concept of PSA betrayal trauma and in 2017 the Trauma Inventory for PSAs (TIPSA; Vogeler et al, 2018 ) was developed and tested.…”