title: The Trauma Symptom Inventory: factors associated with invalid profiles in a sample of combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
abstract: The assessment of combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) relies upon self-reported symptoms and the need for indicators of valid reporting is critical. The Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI) is a testing instrument specific to PTSD which includes validity scales. In a pilot study examining the use of the TSI with combat veterans, 50 male veterans diagnosed with PTSD were administered the TSI. Nineteen percent of the profiles were invalid, all but one based on the Atypical Response Scale. Differences between veterans with valid and invalid TSI profiles are examined in terms of demographic and historical factors, TSI profiles, and individual scale items. The model best able to predict invalid profiles included high scores on subscales measuring dissociative experiences and tension reduction behaviors. Implications for the interpretation of TSI validity scales in assessing combat-related PTSD are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Health Care Line, New Mexico Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Albuquerque 87108, USA.
authors.forename: Ella C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Nye
authors.forename: Clifford
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Qualls
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Katzman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009516:New Mexico; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D014857:Warfare