TY - JOUR
T1 - Factor structure of PTSD, and relation with gender in trauma survivors from India
AU - Charak, R
AU - Armour, C
AU - Elklit, A
AU - Angmo, D
AU - Elhai, JD
AU - Koot, HM
PY - 2014/11/17
Y1 - 2014/11/17
N2 - Background: The factor structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been extensively studied in
Western countries. Some studies have assessed its factor structure in Asia (China, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia),
but few have directly assessed the factor structure of PTSD in an Indian adult sample. Furthermore, in a
largely patriarchal society in India with strong gender roles, it becomes imperative to assess the association
between the factors of PTSD and gender.
Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess the factor structure of PTSD in an Indian sample of
trauma survivors based on prevailing models of PTSD defined in the DSM-IV-TR (APA, 2000), and to assess
the relation between PTSD factors and gender.
Method: The sample comprised of 313 participants (55.9% female) from Jammu and Kashmir, India, who had
experienced a natural disaster (N200) or displacement due to cross-border firing (N113).
Results: Three existing PTSD models*two four-factor models (Emotional Numbing and Dysphoria), and a
five-factor model (Dysphoric Arousal)*were tested using Confirmatory Factor Analysis with addition of
gender as a covariate. The three competing models had similar fit indices although the Dysphoric Arousal
model fit significantly better than Emotional Numbing and Dysphoria models. Gender differences were
found across the factors of Re-experiencing and Anxious arousal.
Conclusions: Findings indicate that the Dysphoric Arousal model of PTSD was the best model; albeit the
fit indices of all models were fairly similar. Compared to males, females scored higher on factors of
Re-experiencing and Anxious arousal. Gender differences found across two factors of PTSD are discussed in
light of the social milieu in India
AB - Background: The factor structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been extensively studied in
Western countries. Some studies have assessed its factor structure in Asia (China, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia),
but few have directly assessed the factor structure of PTSD in an Indian adult sample. Furthermore, in a
largely patriarchal society in India with strong gender roles, it becomes imperative to assess the association
between the factors of PTSD and gender.
Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess the factor structure of PTSD in an Indian sample of
trauma survivors based on prevailing models of PTSD defined in the DSM-IV-TR (APA, 2000), and to assess
the relation between PTSD factors and gender.
Method: The sample comprised of 313 participants (55.9% female) from Jammu and Kashmir, India, who had
experienced a natural disaster (N200) or displacement due to cross-border firing (N113).
Results: Three existing PTSD models*two four-factor models (Emotional Numbing and Dysphoria), and a
five-factor model (Dysphoric Arousal)*were tested using Confirmatory Factor Analysis with addition of
gender as a covariate. The three competing models had similar fit indices although the Dysphoric Arousal
model fit significantly better than Emotional Numbing and Dysphoria models. Gender differences were
found across the factors of Re-experiencing and Anxious arousal.
Conclusions: Findings indicate that the Dysphoric Arousal model of PTSD was the best model; albeit the
fit indices of all models were fairly similar. Compared to males, females scored higher on factors of
Re-experiencing and Anxious arousal. Gender differences found across two factors of PTSD are discussed in
light of the social milieu in India
U2 - 10.3402/ejpt.v5.25547
DO - 10.3402/ejpt.v5.25547
M3 - Article
C2 - 25413575
VL - 5
JO - European Journal of Psychotraumatology
JF - European Journal of Psychotraumatology
SN - 2000-8066
M1 - 25547
ER -