title: The latent structure of posttraumatic stress disorder among adolescents.
abstract: Debate has arisen over whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is most accurately conceptualized as representing a discrete clinical syndrome or an extreme reaction to traumatic life events. Recent taxometric research using predominantly adult samples appears to support a dimensional model of PTSD, raising questions about the utility of current psychiatric nosology which depicts PTSD as a distinct entity. The present study sought to use taxometric procedures to examine the latent structure of posttraumatic stress reactions among a national epidemiologic sample of 2,885 adolescents. Results were consistent with previous taxometric studies in supporting a dimensional model of posttraumatic stress reactions. The implications of these findings for public policy, as well as the etiology and assessment of posttraumatic stress reactions, are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA. bromanfulksj@appstate.edu
authors.forename: Joshua J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Broman-Fulks
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ruggiero
authors.forename: Bradley A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Daniel W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Rochelle F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: Dean G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Kilpatrick
authors.forename: Benjamin E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Saunders