title: Factor structure of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in the Australian general population.
abstract: The tripartite model of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) articulated in DSM-IV has received limited empirical support. Over the past decade, a burgeoning literature on PTSD symptom structure has accumulated suggesting several alternative models. Elucidating the latent structure of PTSD has important clinical and theoretical implications. This paper presents the first confirmatory factor analytic investigation of PTSD symptoms in an epidemiologically based trauma-exposed sample from Australia. Data from a subsample of respondents from the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHWB; n=2677) were submitted to confirmatory factor analysis and several alternative conceptual models were tested. Empirical support was found for an intercorrelated four-factor model reflecting re-experiencing, avoidance, dysphoria, and hyperarousal symptoms. Given that the DSM is currently under revision, research addressing structural validity concerns is especially timely. The present findings renew calls in the structural literature suggesting that the structure of PTSD should be revised in DSM-V.
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. n.carragher@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Natacha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carragher
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Slade
authors.forename: Maree
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teesson
authors.forename: Derrick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Silove
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult