Gender differences in the factor structure of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in war-exposed adolescents

Cherie Armour*, Jon D. Elhai, Christopher M. Layne, Mark Shevlin, Elvira Duraković-Belko, Nermin Djapo, Robert S. Pynoos

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

54 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

DSM-IV's three-factor model of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is rarely empirically supported, whereas other four-factor models (King et al., 1998; Simms, Watson, & Doebbeling, 2002) have proven to be better representations of PTSD's latent structure. To date, a clear consensus as to which model provides the best representation of PTSD's underlying dimensions has yet to be reached. The current study investigated whether gender is associated with factor structure differences using the King et al. (1998) model of reexperiencing, avoidance, numbing, and hyperarousal PTSD symptoms. Participants were war-exposed Bosnian secondary/high school boys and girls (N = 1572) assessed nearly two years after the 1992-1995 Bosnian conflict. Confirmatory factor analytic tests of measurement invariance across PTSD model parameters revealed many significant sex-linked differences. Implications regarding the potential role of gender as a moderator of the King et al. (1998) model's factor structure are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)604-611
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Anxiety Disorders
Volume25
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 May 2011

Keywords

  • Adolescents
  • CFA
  • Gender
  • PTSD
  • War exposed

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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