The structure of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in war veterans

Abstract

The objective of the present research was to examine the underlying factor structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as conceptualized in the recently published fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; APA, 2013). A self-report measure of PTSD symptoms was administered to 258 trauma-exposed Iraq/Afghanistan war veterans. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to compare several different models of PTSD. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the best-fitting model was a six-factor model in which symptoms loaded onto the factors of intrusion, avoidance, negative affect, anhedonia, dysphoric arousal, and anxious arousal. These findings have important implications for ongoing conceptualization of PTSD and suggest that additional modifications to the diagnostic criteria for PTSD may still be warranted to more accurately reflect the underlying structure of PTSD symptoms.

Validation of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complexPTSDusing the International Trauma Questionnaire

“…Diagnostic rates are thus based on symptom criteria alone. Studies have reported acceptable psychometric properties for the PCL-5 (16). Reliability estimates among the current sample were satisfactory: I (a = .90), Av (a = .87), NACM (a = .84), and Ar (a = .78).…”

When Did Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Get So Many Factors? Confirmatory Factor Models Since DSM–5

“…Of the 22 studies fitting the most complex models, 19 tested the 7F hybrid model, and 16 found it best fitting. One (Konecky, Meyer, Kimbrel, & Morissette, 2016) attempted to test the 7F hybrid model and reported a Heywood case, resulting in fitting the next most complex model, the 6F anhedonia model. The 6F anhedonia model was the most complex model tested in two CFAs and fit best in those two and in a third in which it was judged superior to the 7F hybrid model.…”

Alternative models of disorders of traumatic stress based on the new ICD‐11 proposals

“…The scale can be used to generate a self‐report DSM‐5 diagnosis using a cut‐point of 38. Studies have reported acceptable psychometric properties of the PCL‐5 scores in non‐clinical and trauma‐exposed samples . Wilkins et al provide a comprehensive review of the psychometric evaluation of earlier versions of the PCL.…”