The factor structure of posttraumatic stress disorder: A literature update, critique of methodology, and agenda for future research

• Published in: Journal of anxiety disorders Vol. 25; no. 6; pp. 849 - 854
• Main Authors: Elhai, Jon D, Palmieri, Patrick A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Accounting; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Anxiety disorders. Neuroses; Biological and medical sciences; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Factor structures; Heterogeneity; Humans; Medical sciences; Models, Psychological; Moderators; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - diagnosis; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology; Symptoms; Latent variable modeling; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Factor analysis; Emotional trauma; Literature; Methodology; Anxiety disorder; Critical study; Review; Stress
• ISSN: 0887-6185; 1873-7897
• DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2011.04.007

Highlights ► Across the literature, the best fitting factor structure for PTSD is based on the emotional numbing and dysphoria PTSD models. ► Several moderators of PTSD's factor structure have been revealed, including assessment and measurement conditions, war exposure, culture, gender and timing of administration. ► Numerous methodological and statistical limitations are apparent with studies reporting on the factor structure of PTSD.