title: Latent profiles of DSM-5 PTSD symptoms and the "Big Five" personality traits.
abstract: Typologies of DSM-5 PTSD symptoms and personality traits were evaluated in regard to coping styles and treatment preferences using data from 1266 trauma-exposed military veterans of which the majority were male (n=1097; weighted 89.6%). Latent profile analyses indicated a best-fitting 5-class solution; PTSD asymptomatic and emotionally stable (C1); predominant re-experiencing and avoidance symptoms and less emotionally stable (C2); subsyndromal PTSD (C3); predominant negative alterations in mood/cognitions and combined internalizing-externalizing traits (C4); and high PTSD severity and combined internalizing-externalizing traits (C5). Compared to C5, C1 members were less likely to use self-distraction, denial, and substance use and more likely to use active coping; C2 and C4 members were less likely to use denial and more likely to use behavioral disengagement; C3 members were less likely to use denial and instrumental coping and more likely to use active coping; most classes were less likely to seek mental health treatment. Compared to C1, C2 members were more likely to use self-distraction, substance use, behavioral disengagement and less likely to use active coping; C3 members were more likely to use self-distraction, and substance use, and less likely to use positive reframing, and acceptance; and C4 members were more likely to use denial, substance use, emotional support, and behavioral disengagement, and less likely to use active coping, positive reframing, and acceptance; all classes were more likely to seek mental health treatment. Emotional stability was most distinguishing of the typologies. Other implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, 2801 West Bancroft St., Toledo, OH 43606-3390, USA; Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Box Box G-BH, Providence, RI 02912, USA; VA Boston Healthcare System (Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center), Boston, MA 02130, USA. Electronic address: ateka.c@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ateka A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Contractor
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: Cherie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Armour
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Box Box G-BH, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI 02908, USA.
authors.forename: M Tracie
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Shea
authors.affiliation: United States Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Clinical Neurosciences Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.affiliation: United States Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Clinical Neurosciences Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Pietrzak
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D057189:Checklist; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D010551:Personality; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs
keywords: Big-five personality dimensions; Coping; DSM-5 PTSD; Latent profile analyses; Mental health treatment