DSM-5 Model Research Articles

Does personality dysfunction add incremental utility over general psychopathology when modeling previous suicide attempts in adolescent patients?

BackgroundIdentifying patients at risk for a suicide attempt (SA) is critical in adolescents with mental disorders. The current study aimed to 1) examine whether personality dysfunction (PD) is associated with previous SA, 2) explore the incremental utility of PD over psychiatric disorders in modeling previous SA. MethodsThe sample comprised of n = 498 adolescent patients (mean age = 15.41 years, 79.12 % females, inpatient 48.8 %, outpatient 51.2 %). SA in the past year, PD according to the alternative DSM-5 model for personality disorders, and psychiatric diagnoses were assessed using semi-structured interviews. Logistic regression and principal component analysis examining the associations and specific patterns of PD and SA in the past year were conducted. Hierarchical (stepwise) logistic regression was applied to investigate the incremental utility of PD over that of psychiatric diagnoses to identify individuals with SA in the past year. ResultsIncluding all facets of PD revealed a significant model with SA in the past year as outcome (χ2(12) = 106.65, McFaddens Pseudo-R2 = 0.17, p < 0.01). Adding PD to the model explained a significant amount of variance in past SA over that of psychiatric diagnoses (Pseudo-R2 = 0.18, Wald χ2 = 43.05, p < 0.01). LimitationsAs we only studied past SA and due to the cross-sectional design, no conclusion regarding the prediction of future SA can be drawn. DiscussionPD should routinely be assessed in adolescent patients since individuals with PD are more likely to have attempted suicide even when controlling for comorbid psychiatric disorders. PD may represent an important target for intervention in those with suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

The sensitivity of the ICD-11 trait model to the symptoms of clinical disorders in young adults.

Hierarchical psychopathology contributes to providing a broader picture of the links between emerging personality structures such as the DSM-5/ICD-11 trait models and clinical disorders. The present study aimed to predict the specific and general clinical symptoms by the less studied constructs of the ICD-11 model (negative affectivity, detachment, dissociality, disinhibition, and anankastia). Data from 642 young adults from Iran (63% female, 18-34 years) were collected by three mental symptom scales and the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5), which was recently used to harmonize the constructs of the DSM-5 and ICD-11 trait models. Multiple linear regressions showed that the ICD-11 model significantly predicted both the specific clinical symptoms (ranging from R2 = 0.15 to 0.40) and the general factor of clinical symptoms extracted by exploratory factor analysis (R2 = 0.40, all p < 0.001). Negative affectivity was the strongest construct correlated with both the specific symptoms (ranging from β = 0.36 to 0.69) and the general symptom factor (β = 0.59, all p < 0.001). Because the ICD-11 trait model is a practical structure related to the clinical psychopathology in young adults, screening for maladaptive traits can help clinicians in case formulation for diagnosis and treatment.

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptomology as measured by PCL-5 and its relationships to resilience, hostility and stress among paramedics and social professionals.

This survey study aimed to contribute to the extensive debate on the dimensionality of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the DSM-5 (PCL-5) questionnaire by examining the psychometric properties and construct validity of its Hungarian version and relying on the inspection of a conceptual network of related variables, that is, perceived stress, hostility, and resilience. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) and path analysis were applied on data collected from 177 paramedics and 66 professionals from the social field (58.4% male; Mage=43.5±9.96years). Despite the acceptable fit indices gained with CFA when testing the original four-factor DSM-5 model of PCL-5, strong associations (r=0.69-0.90) between subscales were found. Thus, ESEM was applied and as a result a new, three-factor version of the DSM-5 model of PCL-5 was proposed due to significant crossloadings that was theoretically also supported. The Reexperiencing and Avoidance subscales were merged and named Difficulty with Assimilation of Experience (DAE). In the path analysis only two of the tested associations were not significant using the new factor structure, in which stress fully mediated the relationship between resilience and DAE, and resilience and Hyperarousal. Overall, the hypothesised pathways between variables fit the collected data well. (weighted least squares mean-and variance-adjusted χ2=503.750 (df=270), comparative fit index=0.948, Tucker-Lewis index=0.939, root mean square error of approximation (90% confidence interval)=0.064 (0.055-0.073), weighted root mean square residual=1.024). Our analysis of the Hungarian version of PCL-5 contributes to the testing of a DSM-5-based questionnaire measuring posttraumatic stress disorder symptomology.

Personality disorder coverage, prevalence, and convergence: do the DSM-5's two models of personality disorder identify the same patients?

Research on the Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD) in DSM-5's Section-III has demonstrated acceptable interrater reliability, a largely consistent latent structure, substantial correlations with theoretically and clinically relevant measures, and evidence for incremental concurrent and predictive validity after controlling for DSM-5's Section II categorical personality disorders (PDs). However, the AMPD is not yet widely used clinically. One clinician concern may be caseness - that the new model will diagnose a different set of PD patients from that with which they are familiar. The primary aim of this study is to determine whether this concern is valid, by testing how well the two models converge in terms of prevalence and coverage. Participants were 305 psychiatric outpatients and 302 community residents not currently in mental-health treatment who scored above threshold on the Iowa Personality Disorder Screen (Langbehn et al., ). Participants were administered a semi-structured interview for DSM-5 PD, which was scored for both Section II and III PDs. Convergence across the two PD models was variable for specific PDs, Good when specific PDs were aggregated, and Very Good for 'any PD.' Results provide strong evidence that the AMPD yields the same overall prevalence of PD as the current model and, further, identifies largely the same overall population. It also addresses well-known problems of the current model, is more consistent with the ICD-11 PD model, and provides more complete, individualized characterizations of persons with PD, thereby offering multiple reasons for its implementation in clinical settings.

Establishing Levels of Personality Functioning Using the Structured Interview of Personality Organization (STIPO-R): A Latent Profile Analysis

Both the new ICD-11 and the latest Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders focus on self and interpersonal functioning as the central feature of personality pathology, also acknowledging that personality disorders are organized along a dimensional continuum of severity. This revised understanding is in line with long-standing psychodynamic conceptualisations of personality pathology, in particular Kernberg’s object relations model of personality organization. Despite existing evidence for the clinical utility of the derived Structured Interview of Personality Organization (STIPO-R), empirical support for the identification of clear cut-points between the different levels of personality functioning is missing. For this purpose, a total of 764 adult participants were recruited across two clinical (outpatient and inpatient) settings (n = 250) and two non-clinical (university students and general community) samples (n = 514). Results from the mixture modeling suggested the existence of five groups across the clinical and non-clinical samples that covered: healthy personality functioning, maladaptive personality rigidity, and mild, moderate, and severe levels of personality pathology. All five indicators of personality organization were found to be reliable predictors of personality pathology. Of the five STIPO-R indicators, Aggression and Moral Values had the most discriminative power for differentiating between the Mild, Moderate, and Severe personality disorder groups. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Utility of the 3Di short version in the identification and diagnosis of autism in children at the Kenyan coast.

The precise epidemiological burden of autism is unknown because of the limited capacity to identify and diagnose the disorder in resource-constrained settings, related in part to a lack of appropriate standardised assessment tools and health care experts. We assessed the reliability, validity, and diagnostic accuracy of the Developmental Diagnostic Dimensional Interview (3Di) in a rural setting on the Kenyan coast. Using a large community survey of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), we administered the 3Di to 2,110 children aged between 6 years and 9 years who screened positive or negative for any NDD and selected 242 who had specific symptoms suggestive of autism based on parental report and the screening tools for review by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. On the basis of recorded video, a multi-disciplinary team applied the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule to establish an autism diagnosis. Internal consistency was used to examine the reliability of the Swahili version of the 3Di, tetrachoric correlations to determine criterion validity, structural equation modelling to evaluate factorial structure and receiver operating characteristic analysis to calculate diagnostic accuracy against Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnosis. The reliability coefficients for 3Di were excellent for the entire scale {McDonald's omega (ω) = 0.83 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79-0.91]}. A higher-order three-factor DSM-IV-TR model showed an adequate fit with the model, improving greatly after retaining high-loading items and correlated items. A higher-order two-factor DSM-5 model also showed an adequate fit. There were weak to satisfactory criterion validity scores [tetrachoric rho = 0.38 (p = 0.049) and 0.59 (p = 0.014)] and good diagnostic accuracy metrics [area under the curve = 0.75 (95% CI: 0.54-0.96) and 0.61 (95% CI: 0.49-0.73] for 3Di against the DSM criteria. The 3Di had a moderate sensitivity [66.7% (95% CI: 0.22-0.96)] and a good specificity [82.5% (95% CI: 0.74-0.89)], when compared with the DSM-5. However, we observed poor sensitivity [38.9% (95% CI: 0.17-0.64)] and good specificity [83.5% (95% CI: 0.74-0.91)] against DSM-IV-TR. The Swahili version of the 3Di provides information on autism traits, which may be helpful for descriptive research of endophenotypes, for instance. However, for accuracy in newly diagnosed autism, it should be complemented by other tools, e.g., observational clinical judgment using the DSM criteria or assessments such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. The construct validity of the Swahili 3Di for some domains, e.g., communication, should be explored in future studies.

Profiles of theory of mind impairments and personality in clinical and community samples: integrating the alternative DSM-5 model for personality disorders.

Deficits in theory of mind (ToM)-the ability to infer the mental states of others-have been linked to antagonistic traits in community samples. ToM deficits have also been identified in people with personality disorders (PD), although with conflicting evidence, partly due to the use of categorical diagnoses. The DSM-5 Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD) provides an opportunity for a more precise understanding of the interplay between ToM abilities and personality pathology. Therefore, the study aims to determine whether and how individuals with diverse ToM profiles differ regarding personality impairment (AMPD Criterion A) and pathological facets (AMPD Criterion B). Adults with PD (n = 39) and from the community (n = 42) completed tests assessing ToM skills and self-reported questionnaires assessing AMPD Criteria A and B. Hierarchical agglomerative and TwoStep cluster analyses were consecutively computed using scores and subscores from ToM tests as clustering variables. Multivariate analyses of variance were subsequently performed to compare the clusters on both AMPD Criteria. Five clinically and conceptually meaningful clusters were found. The most notable differences across clusters were observed for Intimacy and Empathy dysfunctions (Criterion A), as well as for the Deceitfulness, Callousness, and Hostility facets from the Antagonism domain and the Restricted affectivity facet from the Detachment domain (Criterion B). The results support the association between antagonistic personality facets and ToM deficits. However, clusters showing impairments in ToM abilities did not necessarily exhibit high levels of personality dysfunction or pathological facets, emphasizing that both constructs are not isomorphic. Nevertheless, specific profiles can help refine existing interventions to make them more sensitive and specific to the nature of ToM dysfunctions while considering personality functioning and facets.

The Influence of Personality Functioning and Pathological Traits on the Mental Well-being of Older Persons with Personality Disorders

Background:Why should you pay attention to personality pathology in geriatric psychiatry? To what extent is mental well-being determined by this? How does that relate to the influence of mental disorders? Does the Alternative Dimensional Model of Personality pathology (AMPD) as proposed by the DSM-5 provide more insight into this than the DSM-IV and DSM-5 categorical diagnoses of personality disorders?Method:These questions were examined in baseline data of 145 patients included in our randomized controlled trial (RCT) into group Schema therapy enriched with psychomotor therapy in older patients with a personality disorder (see Oude Voshaar in this symposium). Mental well-being was measured by a combination of psychological distress (53-item Brief Symptom Inventory), positive mental health (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale), assessment of own health (RAND-36), and satisfaction with life (Cantrill’s ladder). Personality pathology was assessed according to the categorical personality model using the Structured Clincal Interview for Personality Disorder (SCID-II) as well as the AMDP DSM-5 model using the Severity Indices of Personality Problems (SIPP-short form) and the Personality Iventory for DSM-5 (PID-25). The relationship between personality pathology and mental well-being was investigated using multivariate regression analysis.Results:Three quarters of the included people with a personality disorder also had another psychiatric disorder (beyond personality pathology). However, personality pathology was found to be responsible for the bulk of the mental health burden and outweighed the influence of these psychiatric disorders. Personality dimensions were highly predictive of mental well-being. This contrasted with the absence of any influence from categorical personality disorders. Although dimensions of personality functioning – and in particular Identity Integration – were the primary predictors of mental well-being, pathological traits added significant predictive value (particularly Disinhibition and Negative Affectivity).Conclusions:Personality pathology seriously affects the mental well-being of patients and exceeds the impact of comorbid psychiatric disorders. Contrary to the assumption in the alternative DSM-5 and ICD-10 model, both personality functioning and pathological traits contribute to this impact on mental well-being. Screening and systematic assessment of personality pathology in geriatric psychiatry seems warranted.

There are no coincidences: Proposed usefulness of the alternative DSM-5 model for personality disorders in the conceptualization of QAnon-related threats.

There are no coincidences: Proposed usefulness of the alternative DSM-5 model for personality disorders in the conceptualization of QAnon-related threats.

Evaluating a novel 8-factor dimensional model of PTSD in U.S. military veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study

BackgroundAccumulating data suggest that the structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms may be more nuanced than proposed by prevailing nosological models. Emerging theory further suggests that an 8-factor model with separate internally- (e.g., flashbacks) and externally- (e.g., trauma cue-related emotional reactivity) generated intrusive symptoms may best represent PTSD symptoms. To date, however, scarce research has evaluated the fit of this model and whether index traumas are differentially associated with it in populations at high risk for trauma exposure, such as military veterans. MethodsData were analyzed from a nationally representative sample of 3847 trauma-exposed U.S. veterans who participated in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to evaluate the fit of a novel 8-factor model of PTSD symptoms relative to 4-factor DSM-5 and empirically-supported 7-factor hybrid models. ResultsThe 8-factor model fit the data significantly better than the 7-factor hybrid and 4-factor DSM-5 models. Combat exposure and harming others were more strongly associated with internally-generated intrusions, while interpersonal violence and disaster/accident showed stronger significant associations with externally-generated intrusions. LimitationsThe 8-factor model requires validation in non-veteran and more diverse trauma-exposed populations, as well as with clinician-administered interviews. ConclusionsResults of this study provide support for a novel 8-factor model of PTSD symptoms that is characterized by separate internally- and externally-generated intrusions. They also suggest that certain index traumas may lead to differential expression of these symptoms.

Evaluating the Psychometric Properties of the German Self and Interpersonal Functioning Scale (SIFS)

The Self and Interpersonal Functioning Scale (SIFS) is a 24-item self-report questionnaire assessing personality functioning according to the alternative DSM-5 model for personality disorders. We evaluated the German SIFS version in a total sample of 886 participants from Germany and Switzerland. Its factor structure was investigated with confirmatory factor analysis comparing bifactor models with two specific factors (self- and interpersonal functioning) and four specific factors (identity, self-direction, empathy, and intimacy). The SIFS sum and domain scores were tested for reliability and convergent validity with self-report questionnaires and interviews for personality functioning, -organization, -traits, -disorder categories, and well-being. None of the bifactor models yielded good model fit, even after excluding two items with low factor loadings and including a method factor for reverse-keyed items. Based on a shortened 22-item SIFS version, models suggested that the g-factor explained 52.9–59.6% of the common variance and that the SIFS sum score measured the g-factor with a reliability of .68–.81. Even though the SIFS sum score showed large test-retest reliability and correlated strongly with well-established self-report questionnaires and interviews, the lack of structural validity appears to be a serious disadvantage of the SIFS compared to existing self-reports questionnaires of personality functioning.

Comparison of the relations between three dimensional personality frameworks and intra- and inter-personal functioning

We aimed to understand which of the three personality frameworks including Criterion B of the DSM-5 model, Five-Factor Model (FFM), and affective temperaments was most overlapping with both intrapersonal and interpersonal dysfunctions (Criterion A). This cross-sectional study consisted of N = 496 people from western Iran. Pearson correlation and regression techniques were used for data analysis. Although all dimensional personality frameworks were related to both personality dysfunctions, Criterion B was a stronger predictor above and beyond the other frameworks. Our findings do not support the replacement of Criterion B by traditional personality and temperament constructs. The significant incremental validity of both the FFM and affective temperaments beyond the DSM-5 model addresses potential complementary constructs to enhance Criterion B to explain Criterion A.

A comparison of DSM-5 and ICD-11 models of PTSD: Measurement invariance and psychometric validation in Filipino trauma samples

This study examined and compared the factor structure of DSM-5 and ICD-11 PTSD models and their relationships with transdiagnostic symptoms (i.e., anxiety, depression, negative affect, and somatic symptoms) in eight trauma samples: (1) natural disaster relocatees; (2) Typhoon Haiyan survivors; (3) indigenous people exposed to armed conflict; (4) internally displaced persons due to armed conflict; (5) soldiers regularly involved in armed conflict; (6) police exposed to work-related traumatic events; (7) abused women; and (8) college students with diverse trauma experiences. Results showed that while the ICD-11 PTSD has better model fit than that of DSM-5, the DSM-5 PTSD model has stronger relationships with all transdiagnostic symptoms in almost all of the samples. The study highlights that in choosing which PTSD nomenclature to use, both the factor structure and comorbidity with other symptoms must be considered.

Evaluation of a 36-item measure of ICD-11 and DSM-5 personality disorder trait domains and facets in Russian inpatients.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) and International Classification of Diseases 11th revision (ICD-11) have introduced a new dimensional approach to personality disorder (PD) classification that relies on the global level of PD severity and individual expressions of personality dysfunction in terms of specified trait domains (i.e., negative affectivity, detachment, antagonism, disinhibition, anankastia, and psychoticism). This study sought to evaluate the psychometric qualities of the DSM-5 and ICD-11 trait domains and facets in 570 Russian psychiatric inpatients using the Modified 36-Item Personality Inventory for DSM-5 and ICD-11 Brief Form Plus-Modified (PID5BF + M). The expected six-factor structure of the DSM-5 and ICD-11 trait domains was replicated using exploratory factor analysis. The six domain scores showed expected convergence with normal five-factor model scores, and the 18 subfacets showed acceptable scale reliability. Our findings overall support the psychometric properties of the six PID5BF + M domain scores and 18 subfacet scores covering both the ICD-11 and the DSM-5 trait models. Consequently, clinicians and researchers in Russian-speaking mental health services are now able to perform a combined and facet-level assessment of the DSM-5 and ICD-11 trait models in a feasible and psychometrically sound manner. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Level of identity diffusion in patients with borderline, narcissistic, avoidant and other specified personality disorder

Traditional conceptions of personality disorder (PD) view severe identity disturbance as a defining characteristic of borderline personality disorder (BPD). In the alternative DSM-5 model for PDs (AMPD) and in the outlined substantial changes to PD diagnostics in ICD-11, disturbances in self and identity are elevated from a specific diagnostic criterion for BPD to a defining criterion for PD in general. In line with Kernberg’s theory of personality organization (PO), it is expected that although identity disturbance may be characteristic of most or all PDs, severe identity diffusion is a more pronounced and defining characteristic of BPD and possibly other PDs organized on a borderline level (BPO). Here, we examined the level of identity disturbance in SCID-diagnosed patients with BPD, narcissistic PD (NPD), avoidant PD (AVPD), comorbid BPD with NPD and AVDP, as well as other specified PD (PD-OT). We found that measures of identity diffusion were higher in BPD and NPD patients compared with patients diagnosed with AVPD. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that number of SCID criteria met for BPD and NPD predicted level of identity diffusion when gender, age and general symptomatology were controlled for, whereas number of SCID criteria met for AVPD did not. The presented data support severe identity diffusion as a prominent characteristic of BPD with possible implications for how we should differentiate BPD from other PDs. The findings are discussed in relation to Kernberg’s model and the AMPD.

Investigating the overlap and predictive validity between Criterion A and B in the alternative model for personality disorders in DSM-5

The Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD) consists of level of personality functioning (Criterion A) and maladaptive personality traits (Criterion B). The brief scale versions of these are understudied, while often being used by clinicians and researchers. In this study, we wanted to investigate the overlap and predictive validity of Criterion A and B. Participants (N = 253) were measured on level of personality functioning (LPFS-BF) and maladaptive personality traits (PID-5-BF), as well as internalizing outcomes such existential meaninglessness (EMS) and externalizing outcomes such as substance and behavioral addictions (SSAB). Data analysis was conducted with principal component analysis (PCA) and regression analyses. The results showed over 50% overlap between the brief versions of Criterion A and B, while Criterion B slightly outperformed Criterion A in outcomes of EMS and SSAB. We discuss the potential redundancy and usefulness of personality functioning and maladaptive personality traits.

Recommendation for Cannabis Use Disorder Diagnosis in a Context of Cannabis for Therapeutic Purposes

This Viewpoint proposes a model of cannabis use disorder diagnosis in the context of cannabis for therapeutic purposes that is based on DSM-5 model of diagnosing substance use disorder in the context of prescribed medication use

Validation of the Danish PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 in trauma-exposed chronic pain patients using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5

ABSTRACT Background: Validation of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screening tools across various populations to ensure accurate PTSD estimates is important. Because of the high symptom overlap between PTSD and pain, it is particularly important to validate PTSD screening tools in trauma-exposed chronic pain patients. Objective: The present study is the first seeking to validate the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) in a sample of trauma-exposed, treatment-seeking chronic pain patients. Method: The validation and optimal scoring of the PCL-5 were investigated using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) in chronic pain patients exposed to traffic or work-related traumas (n = 84). Construct validity was investigated using confirmatory factor analyses testing six competing DSM-5 models in a sample of mixed trauma-exposed chronic pain patients (n = 566), and a subsample of chronic pain patients exposed to traffic or work-related trauma only (n = 202). Furthermore, concurrent validity and discriminant validity were investigated using correlation analysis. Results: The results showed moderate (κ = .46) diagnostic consistency between the PCL-5 and the CAPS-5 using the DSM-5 symptom cluster criteria, and the overall accuracy of the scale (area under the curve = .79) was highly acceptable. Furthermore, the Danish PCL-5 showed excellent construct validity both in the full sample and in the subsample of traffic and work-related accidents, with superior fit of the seven-factor hybrid model. Excellent concurrent validity and discriminant validity were also established in the full sample. Conclusion: The PCL-5 appears to have satisfactory psychometric properties in trauma-exposed, treatment-seeking chronic pain patients.

New Zealand (Aotearoa) clinicians' perspectives on the utility of the ICD-11 personality disorder diagnosis.

The ICD-11 has now taken effect and includes a new dimensional personality disorder (PD) diagnosis. The current study aimed to examine Aotearoa/New Zealand practitioners' perceptions of the clinical utility of the new PD system. A sample of 124 psychologists and psychiatrists completed a survey, applying the DSM-5 and ICD-11 PD diagnostic systems to a current patient, and completed clinical utility metrics on the DSM-5 and ICD-11 models. Additional open-ended questions further elicited clinicians' perceptions of the strengths, weaknesses and potential application issues of the ICD-11 PD diagnosis, and these responses were analysed through thematic analysis. Overall, the ICD-11 system was rated higher than the DSM-5 on all six clinical metrics, with no significant difference between psychologists' and psychiatrists' ratings. Five themes emerged: appreciation for an alternative to DSM-5, structural barriers preventing ICD-11 PD implementation, personal barriers to ICD-11 implementation, diagnoses viewed as low utility, clinician preference for formulation and cultural safety considerations for implementation of ICD-11 PD in Aotearoa/NZ. Overall, clinicians had positive opinions of the clinical utility of the ICD-11 PD diagnosis, although expressed some concerns about its implementation. The study expands upon initial evidence that mental health practitioners have generally positive perceptions of the ICD-11 PDs' clinical utility.

The best of two worlds: Combining the DSM-5 and ICD-11 clusters of symptoms for posttraumatic stress disorder in a single screening scale.

The most recent DSM-5 (2013) and ICD-11 (2018) diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) encompass 20 and six symptoms, respectively, organized in different structures. This study aimed to investigate the dimensions of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist 5 (PCL-5) according to the DSM-5's broader definition of PTSD and the ICD-11's narrower approach, as well as to explore an alternative restricted model that retains the core symptoms explicitly related to traumatic experiences. Data were gathered from Brazilian employees (n=1,101) who had directly experienced traumatic life events or had been exposed to them because of their work activities. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) were used to evaluate the configural and metric structures of the models. We estimated seven models of the latent structure of PTSD including the four-factor DSM-5 and three-factor ICD-11 PTSD models. Given the lack of evidence of their validity, an alternative 10-symptom model was tested. The final seven-item PTSD model considerably improved estimation of the PTSD construct. This solution showed reliable items with non-redundant content, acceptable fit indices, and satisfactory configural and metric properties. The more parsimonious one-dimensional model comprising the core PTSD symptoms has the potential to improve assessment of PTSD.