title: The structure of acute stress disorder among Chinese adults exposed to an earthquake: is dysphoric arousal a unique construct of acute posttraumatic responses?
abstract: As a diagnosis organized mainly on the basis of theoretical conceptualization, acute stress disorder (ASD) has been widely criticized for lack of empirical support since it was introduced into the DSM system. To address this issue, the present study investigated the latent structure of ASD symptoms measured by the Acute Stress Disorder Scale (ASDS). A total of 350 adults with a mean age of 32.9 years (SD = 14.0, range: 16-85) took part in this study 12 to 15 days after an earthquake. The results of confirmatory factor analyses showed that a five-factor intercorrelated model (dissociation, reexperiencing, avoidance, dysphoric arousal, and anxious arousal) demonstrated the best data fit. The findings provide preliminary empirical evidence in favor of a new reconceptualization of ASD symptoms, and are informative for the impending DSM-5.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Richu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jianxin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhengkui
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Kankan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001143:Arousal; D002681:China; D004190:Disasters; D055866:Earthquakes; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D040701:Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult