title: Heterogeneity in the latent structure of PTSD symptoms among Canadian veterans.
abstract: The current study used factor mixture modeling to identify heterogeneity (i.e., latent classes) in 2 well-supported models of posttraumatic stress disorder's (PTSD) factor structure. Data were analyzed from a clinical sample of 405 Canadian veterans evaluated for PTSD. Results were consistent with our hypotheses. Each PTSD factor model was best represented by 2 latent classes of participants, differing with respect to PTSD symptom severity. Furthermore, classes were most strongly distinguished by factor scores related to emotional numbing or dysphoria. For both factor models, class membership was significantly predicted by age and depression diagnosis. Implications of these findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. james.naifeh@gmail.com
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Naifeh
authors.forename: J Don
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Kevin S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Del Ben
authors.forename: Jon D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Elhai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D057189:Checklist; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult