The Latent Structure of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Adolescents

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2009

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Debate has arisen over whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PT D) is most accurately conceptualized as representing a discrete clinical syndrome or an extreme reaction to traumatic life events. Recent taxometric research using predominantly adult samples appears to support a dimensional model of PTSD, raising questions research using about the utility of current psychiatric nosology which depicts PTSD as a distinct entity. The present study sought to use taxometric procedures to examine the latent structure of posttraumatic stress reactions among a national epidemiologic sample of 2,885 adolescents. Results were consistent with previous taxometric studies in supporting in supporting a dimensional model of posttraumatic stress reactions. The implications of these findings for public policy, as well as the etiology and assessment of posttraumatic stress reactions, are discussed.

Publication Title

Journal of Traumatic Stress

Volume

22

Issue

2

First Page

146

Last Page

152

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