Objectives: This study aimed to examine the structure of self-reported post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
Design: Based on previous factor analytic findings and the DSM-IV formulation, six confirmatory factor models were specified and estimated that reflected different symptom clusters.
Methods: The analyses were based on responses from 1116 participants who had suffered whiplash injuries and screened for full or subclinical PTSD using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire.
Results: A correlated four-factor model with re-experiencing, avoidance, dysphoria and arousal factors fitted the data very well. Correlations with criteria measures showed that these factors were associated with other trauma related variables in a theoretically predictable way and showed evidence of unique predictive utility.
Conclusions: These results concur with previous research findings using different trauma populations but do not reflect the current DSM-IV symptom groupings.