The structure of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder according to DSM-5 and assessed by PDS-5 – preliminary results

Abstract

<b>Background</b><br /> The structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms has been studied and discussed since the introduction of PTSD as a diagnostic entity in the DSM-III (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders III) in 1980. Many studies supported a four-factor or a five-factor models, both inconsistent with DSM-IV. It is unclear whether current DSM-5 criteria appropriately reflect the empirical structure of PTSD symptoms.<br /> <br /> <b>Participants and procedure</b><br /> In this study the structure of PTSD symptoms was examined by confirmatory factor analysis conducted on the data obtained from 388 individuals (150 males and 239 females aged 18-83) who experienced a traumatic event and completed the PDS-5 (Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale-5), a self-report scale according to the DSM-5 criteria.<br /> <br /> <b>Results</b><br /> Fitting of different models based on DSM-IV, DSM-5 and other the most common four- and five-factor conceptualizations of PTSD symptoms structure was examined. The data analyses demonstrated the best fit of the six-factor model based on the conceptualization of Elhai et al. (2011) with the additional factor of negative cognitions and mood.<br /> <br /> <b>Conclusions</b><br /> The DSM-5 diagnostic criteria do not reflect the empirical PTSD symptom structure. The data suggest also that it is reasonable to separate the core PTSD symptoms from broad PTSD symptomatology.