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There have been many factor analytic studies aimed at testing alternative latent structures of DSM-IV and DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The primary rationale for such studies is that determining the ‘best’ factor analytic model will result in better diagnoses if that structure is the basis for diagnostic decisions. However, there appears to be a disconnect between the factor analytic modelling and the diagnostic implications. In this study, we derived prevalence rates based on commonly reported models of PTSD, based on data from two clinical samples ( N = 434), and also assessed if the different models generated consistent risk estimates in relation to the effects of childhood maltreatment. We found that the different models produced different prevalence rates, ranging from 64.5% to 83.9%. Furthermore, we found that the relationship between childhood maltreatment and ‘diagnosis’ varied considerably depending upon which latent symptom profile was adopted. It is argued that, given the maturity of this area of research, factor analytic studies of PTSD should now include information on the diagnostic implications of their findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the conditions following exposure to traumatic life events proposed by ICD-11 are Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (CPTSD). The primary aim of this study was to provide an assessment of the reliability and validity of a newly developed self-report measure of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD: the ICD-11 Trauma Questionnaire (ICD-TQ). Participants in this study were a sample of individuals who were referred for psychological therapy to a National Health Service (NHS) trauma centre in Scotland ( N = 193). Participants completed the ICD-TQ and measures of traumatic life events, DSM-5 PTSD, emotion dysregulation, self–esteem, and interpersonal difficulties. Confirmatory factor analysis results supported the factorial validity of the ICD-TQ with results in line with ICD-11 proposals. The ICD-TQ demonstrated satisfactory internal reliability, and correlation results indicated that the scale exhibited convergent and discriminant validity. Current results provide initial support for the psychometric properties of this initial version of the ICD-TQ. Future theoretical and empirical work will be required to generate a final version of the ICD-TQ that will match the diagnostic structure of PTSD and CPTSD when ICD-11 is published. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternative symptom profiles for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are presented in the DSM-5 and ICD-11. This study compared DSM-5 PTSD symptom profiles with ICD-11 PTSD symptom profiles among a large group of trauma-exposed individuals from Denmark. Covariates, and rates of co-occurrence with other psychiatric disorders were also investigated. A sample of treatment-seeking adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse ( n = 434) were assessed using self-report measures of PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. A significantly larger proportion of individuals met caseness for DSM-5 PTSD (60.0%) compared to ICD-11 PTSD (49.1%). This difference was largely attributable to low endorsement of the ICD-11 re-experiencing criteria. Replacement of the ‘recurrent nightmares’ symptom with the ‘recurrent thoughts/memories’ symptom seemed to balance the proportion of individuals meeting caseness for both taxonomies. Levels of co-occurrence with anxiety and thought disorder were higher for the DSM-5 model of PTSD compared to the ICD-11 model. Current results merit careful consideration in the selection of symptom indicators for the new ICD model of PTSD, particularly with respect to the re-experiencing symptom category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Development of the cyberchondria severity scale (CSS). [•] Exploratory factor analysis identified five correlated factors. [•] CSS scores were positively correlated with depression, anxiety and stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Much of the debate surrounding the dimensionality of PTSD relates to three specific Hyperarousal symptoms (D1–D3) and whether they are appropriate indicators of one of two broad constructs that constitute PTSD: Dysphoria or Hyperarousal. This study addressed this issue by testing a series of confirmatory factor models to determine which factor, or factors, these symptoms measured the strongest. Data from individuals who satisfied the conditions for Criterion A of the diagnostic criteria for a DSM-IV diagnosis of PTSD (n =12,467) in the 2004–2005 NESARC were used in the analysis. The results revealed that the D1–D3 symptoms were not clear indicators of either factor, but measured both Dysphoria and Hyperarousal. Two symptoms, however, loaded more highly on the Dysphoria, rather than Hyperarousal, factor. The present findings lend support to the factor model proposed by Simms et al. [Simms, L. J., Watson, D., & Doebbeling, B. N. (2002). Confirmatory factor analyses of posttraumatic stress symptoms in deployed and non-deployed veterans of the Gulf War. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 111, 637–647] but also question the use of symptoms that are not unique indicators of specific factors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Exposure to bank robbery appears to be especially associated with general traumatization and somatization in the acute phase and in victims present during the robbery. [•] After the acute phase especially negative cognitions about self and bodily sensations appear more important in predicting general traumatization and somatization than bank robbery exposure. [•] In general, bank employees appear to be at high risk of psychological distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the factorial structure of complicated grief (CG) and investigate the relationship between CG and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through the assessment of models combining both constructs. The questionnaire was completed by elderly, married respondents with a history of at least one significant, interpersonal loss (145 males and 147 females, 60–81 years). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported a two-factor model of separation and traumatic distress in CG. To investigate the relationship between CG and PTSD three combined models were specified and estimated using CFA. A model where all five factors, the two factors of CG and the three factors of PTSD, as defined by the DSM-IV, were allowed to correlate provided the best fit. The results indicated a considerable overlap between the dimensions of CG and PTSD, and complicated grief is construct that appears to be largely accounted for by especially the intrusive component of PTSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: This study first aimed to examine the structure of self-reported posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms using three different samples. The second aim of the paper was to test the robustness of the factor analytic model when depression scores were controlled for. Design: Based on previous factor analytic findings and the DSM-IV formulation, six confirmatory factor models were specified and estimated that reflected different symptom clusters. The best fitting model was subsequently re-fitted to the data after including a depression variable. Methods: The analyses were based on responses from 973 participants across three samples. Sample 1 consisted of 633 parents who were members of ‘The National Association of Infant Death’ and who had lost a child. Sample 2 consisted of 227 victims of rape, who completed a questionnaire within 4 weeks of the rape. Each respondent had been in contact with the Centre for Rape Victims (CRV) at the Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. Sample 3 consisted of 113 refugees resident in Denmark. All participants had been referred to a treatment centre which focused on rehabilitating refugees through treatment for psychosocial integration problems (RRCF: Rehabliterings og Revliderings Centre for Flygtninge). In total 500 participants received a diagnosis of PTSD/sub-clinical PTSD (Sample 1, N =214; 2, N =176; 3, N =110). Results: A correlated four-factor model with re-experiencing, avoidance, dysphoria, and arousal factors provided the best fit to the sample data. The average attenuation in the factor loadings was highest for the dysphoria factor (M =−.26, SD=.11) compared to the re-experiencing (M =−.14, SD=.18), avoidance (M =−.10, SD=.21), and arousal (M =−.09, SD=.13) factors. Conclusions: With regards to the best fitting factor model these results concur with previous research findings using different trauma populations but do not reflect the current DSM-IV symptom groupings. The attenuation of dysphoria factor loadings suggests that dysphoria is a non-specific component of PTSD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Potentially traumatic experiences are a major risk factor for mental disorders in children and adolescents. Posttraumatic psychopathology includes trauma-specific disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as other psychiatric disorders. Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD) has been proposed as a developmentally sensitive diagnosis. We aimed to further illuminate the co-occurrence of psychiatric conditions with DTD and PTSD. In a convenience sample of families of 507 children and adolescents (mean age = 12.11 years old, SD = 2.92; 48.5% female), we assessed DTD, PTSD, and screened for psychiatric disorders. We estimated network models including DTD, PTSD and ten psychiatric conditions. We found that DTD and PTSD share both common and differential comorbidity features on disorder-, domain-, and symptom-level. The differential comorbidity patterns of the DTD and PTSD domains placed DTD close to both externalizing and internalizing psychopathology while PTSD was primarily linked to internalizing conditions. Our study provides evidence for the complex clinical presentation of posttraumatic psychopathology over and above PTSD in children. DTD and PTSD provide useful and distinct diagnostic categories for children who are also experiencing internalizing conditions, and DTD may be especially relevant for children who are experiencing externalizing psychopathology. • Posttraumatic psychopathology features complex clinical presentations beyond PTSD. • DTD has been proposed as a developmentally sensitive diagnosis for children. • DTD and PTSD share common and differential comorbidity presentations. • DTD and PTSD provide useful and distinct diagnostic categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The validity of ICD-11 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (CPTSD), as measured by the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ; Cloitre et al., 2018) has been supported in many factor analytic and mixture modelling studies. There is, however, a paucity of research investigating the latent structure of the ITQ using factor mixture modelling (FMM). FMM was applied to data collected from a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (N = 1834). FMM results demonstrated strong support for a two-factor second-order model with four qualitatively distinct latent classes: a 'PTSD class', a 'CPTSD class', a 'DSO' (Disturbances in Self-Organisation) class and a 'low symptoms class'. Sexual abuse increased likelihood of membership to the 'CPTSD' (OR = 3.22) and physical abuse decreased likelihood of membership to the 'PTSD' (OR=0.51). Trauma exposure in adulthood predicted 'PTSD' and 'CPTSD' class membership. The 'CPTSD class' was characterised by higher levels of psychopathological co-morbidities and poorer psychological wellbeing compared to all other classes. Results provide additional support for the validity of PTSD and CPTSD as measured by the ITQ. • A factor mixture model best captures the latent structure of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD. • Support for ICD-11 predictions that there are distinct trauma groups in population. • ITQ is a valid and reliable measure of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD. • Childhood traumas, ACEs and adulthood trauma are risk factors for PTSD and CPTSD. • Exploration of the characteristics of 'DSO' subgroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: DSM-IV''s three-factor model of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is rarely empirically supported, whereas other four-factor models () have proven to be better representations of PTSD''s latent structure. To date, a clear consensus as to which model provides the best representation of PTSD''s underlying dimensions has yet to be reached. The current study investigated whether gender is associated with factor structure differences using the model of reexperiencing, avoidance, numbing, and hyperarousal PTSD symptoms. Participants were war-exposed Bosnian secondary/high school boys and girls (N =1572) assessed nearly two years after the 1992–1995 Bosnian conflict. Confirmatory factor analytic tests of measurement invariance across PTSD model parameters revealed many significant sex-linked differences. Implications regarding the potential role of gender as a moderator of the model''s factor structure are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Posttraumatic stress disorder''s (PTSD) tripartite factor structure proposed by the DSM-IV is rarely empirically supported. Other four-factor models () have proven to better account for PTSD''s latent structure; however, results regarding model superiority are conflicting. The current study assessed whether endorsement of PTSD''s Criterion A2 would impact on the factorial invariance of the model. Participants were 1572 war-exposed Bosnian secondary students who were assessed two years following the 1992–1995 Bosnian conflict. The sample was grouped by those endorsing both parts of the DSM-IV Criterion A (A2 Group) and those endorsing only A1 (Non-A2 Group). The factorial invariance of the model was not supported between the A2 vs. Non-A2 Groups; rather, the groups significantly differed on all model parameters. The impact of removing A2 on the factor structure of PTSD model is discussed in light of the proposed removal of Criterion A2 for the DSM-V. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Review of latent structure of International Trauma Questionnaire. • Correlated six-factor and two-factor second-order most commonly supported symptom structures. • Distinct classes representing PTSD and CPTSD symptom profiles have been reported in clinical and non-clinical samples. • Validity PTSD and CPTSD supported when tested in conjunction with other variables. • More research needed on populations with high rates of trauma exposure. The 11th version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11; WHO, 2018) describes two distinct trauma related disorders, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (CPTSD). This review aims to summarise and synthesize evidence from factor analytic and mixture modelling studies that have investigated the latent structure of the International Trauma Questionnaire. A systematic search of PsycInfo, Web of Science, Scopus and Pubmed databases was conducted to identify relevant articles. Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. The latent structure of the ITQ was best represented by two models; a correlated six-factor model (Re-experiencing, Avoidance, Threat, Affect Dysregulation, Negative Self Concept, and Disturbed Relationships) and a two-factor second-order model (PTSD and Disturbances in Self-Organization). Mixture model studies consistently identified distinct classes representing those displaying PTSD and CPTSD symptoms. Numerous studies demonstrated support for the factorial and discriminant validity of PTSD and CPTSD when analysed in conjunction with other variables. Overall, support was found for the conceptual coherence of PTSD and CPTSD as empirically distinguishable disorders, as measured by the ITQ. The available evidence demonstrates that the ITQ is a valid measure of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD. Recommendations for future research are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]