Construct Validity of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist in Cancer Survivors: Analyses Based on Two Samples.

Abstract

The measurement of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is critically important for the identification and treatment of this disorder. The PTSD Checklist (PCL; F. W. Weathers and J. Ford, 1996) is a self-report measure that is increasingly used. In this study, the authors investigated the factorial validity of the PCL with data from 236 cancer survivors who received a bone marrow or stem cell transplantation. The authors examined the fit of these data with the clinical model of 3 symptom clusters for PTSD, as proposed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and alternative models tested in prior research. By using confirmatory factor analysis the authors found that a 4-first-order-factor model of PTSD provided the best fit. The relations of PTSD symptoms with sociodemographic and medical variables were also explored.

The Impact of Event Scale-Revised: Psychometric properties in a sample of motor vehicle accident survivors

“…These findings suggest that the IES-R Avoidance subscale does not fit as closely with the DSM criteria for PTSD, relative to the other two subscales. Given on-going discussion in the literature concerning the underlying factor structure of PTSD (e.g., Asmundson, et al, 2000,DuHamel, et al, 2004, it is possible that the IES-R can augment diagnostically-oriented measures, such as the CAPS and PSS-SR, in the assessment of PTSD. In particular, the IES-R Avoidance subscale may provide a more focused assessment of effortful avoidance, relative to measures that combine avoidance and numbing.…”

“…Andrews, Shevlin, Troop, and Joseph (2004) argued that the optimal structure of the IES consisted of four first-order factors (intrusion, avoidance, numbing, and sleep), with one second-order factor which assessed general distress. Although this dialogue parallels debate concerning the structure of PTSD symptoms more generally (e.g., Asmundson, Frombach, McQuaid, Pedrello, Lenox, & Stein, 2000;DuHamel, et al, 2004), the factor structure of the IES itself has been questioned, separate from this more general discussion.…”

The structure of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in three female trauma samples: A comparison of interview and self-report measures

“…A four-factor, intercorrelated solution, with factors described as re-experiencing, effortful avoidance, emotional numbing, and hyperarousal, provided the best fit. This model has subsequently been supported in several other trauma groups (Asmundson et al, 2003;DuHamel et al, 2004;Marshall, 2004;Palmieri & Fitzgerald, 2005; Palmieri, Marshall, et al, 2007; Palmieri, Weathers, et al, 2007;Stewart et al, 2004). Simms et al (2002) examined the fit of six symptom models in a large group of military personnel (N = 3695).…”

“…To date, exploratory factor analyses of DSM-III-R/DSM-IV PTSD symptoms have been conducted with numerous populations, including survivors of fires, motor vehicle accidents and assaults, United Nations peacekeepers, refugees, and military veterans (Fawzi et al, 1997;Foa, Riggs, & Gershuny, 1995;Keane, 1993;Maes et al, 1998aMaes et al, , 1998bSack, Seeley, & Clarke, 1997;Shelby, Golden-Kreutz, & Andersen, 2005;Smith, Redd, DuHamel, Vickberg, & Ricketts, 1999;Smith, Perrin, Dyregrov, & Yule, 2003;Stewart et al, 1999;Taylor, Kuch, Koch, Crockett, & Passey, 1998). Two-, three-, four-, and five-factor solutions have been reported, with no solution clearly paralleling the symptom clusters suggested by the most recent versions of the DSM.Along with these exploratory factor analyses, numerous confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) of DSM-III-R/DSM-IV PTSD symptoms have been conducted (Andrews, Joseph, Shevlin, & Troop, 2006;Anthony, Lonigan, & Hecht, 1999;Anthony et al, 2005;Asmundson et al, 2000;Asmundson, Wright, McCreary, & Pedlar, 2003;Baschnagel, O'Connor, Colder, & Hawk, 2005;Buckley, Blanchard, & Hickling, 1998;Cordova, Studts, Hann, Jacobsen, & Andrykowski, 2000;DuHamel et al, 2004;King, Leskin, King, & Weathers, 1998;Maes et al, 1998aMaes et al, , 1998bMarshall, 2004;McWilliams, Cox, & Asmundson, 2005;Palmieri & Fitzgerald, 2005; Palmieri, Marshall, & Schell, 2007; Palmieri, Weathers, Difede, & King, 2007;Sack et al, 1997;Simms, Watson, & Doebbeling, 2002;Stewart et al, 2004). CFAs have several advantages over exploratory factor analyses in elucidating the structure of PTSD symptoms.…”

“…Along with these exploratory factor analyses, numerous confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) of DSM-III-R/DSM-IV PTSD symptoms have been conducted (Andrews, Joseph, Shevlin, & Troop, 2006;Anthony, Lonigan, & Hecht, 1999;Anthony et al, 2005;Asmundson et al, 2000;Asmundson, Wright, McCreary, & Pedlar, 2003;Baschnagel, O'Connor, Colder, & Hawk, 2005;Buckley, Blanchard, & Hickling, 1998;Cordova, Studts, Hann, Jacobsen, & Andrykowski, 2000;DuHamel et al, 2004;King, Leskin, King, & Weathers, 1998;Maes et al, 1998aMaes et al, , 1998bMarshall, 2004;McWilliams, Cox, & Asmundson, 2005;Palmieri & Fitzgerald, 2005;Palmieri, Marshall, & Schell, 2007;Palmieri, Weathers, Difede, & King, 2007;Sack et al, 1997;Simms, Watson, & Doebbeling, 2002;Stewart et al, 2004). CFAs have several advantages over exploratory factor analyses in elucidating the structure of PTSD symptoms.…”