title: Evidence for a unique PTSD construct represented by PTSD's D1-D3 symptoms.
abstract: Two models of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have received the most empirical support in confirmatory factor analytic studies: King, Leskin, King, and Weathers' (1998) Emotional Numbing model of reexperiencing, avoidance, emotional numbing and hyperarousal; and Simms, Watson, and Doebbeling's (2002) Dysphoria model of reexperiencing, avoidance, dysphoria and hyperarousal. These models only differ in placement of three PTSD symptoms: sleep problems (D1), irritability (D2), and concentration problems (D3). In the present study, we recruited 252 women victims of domestic violence and tested whether there is empirical support to separate these three PTSD symptoms into a fifth factor, while retaining the Emotional Numbing and Dysphoria models' remaining four factors. Confirmatory factor analytic findings demonstrated that separating the three symptoms into a separate factor significantly enhanced model fit for the Emotional Numbing and Dysphoria models. These three symptoms may represent a unique latent construct. Implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, 2801 West Bancroft Street, Toledo, OH 43606, USA.
authors.forename: Jon D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Elhai
authors.forename: Tracey L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Biehn
authors.forename: Cherie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Armour
authors.forename: Jessica J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Klopper
authors.forename: B Christopher
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Frueh
authors.forename: Patrick A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Palmieri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004644:Emotions; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011594:Psychometrics; D057566:Self Report; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires