Journal Article

An exploration of the DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder symptom latent variable network

Fang, Ruojiao, Hall, Brian J., Bi, Yajie, Wang, Li, Li, Gen, Liu, Ping, Luo, Shu, Elhai, Jon D., Cao, Chengqi

2020

Overview

Both the latent variable model and the network model have been widely used to conceptualize mental disorders. However, it has been pointed out that there is no clear dichotomy between the two models, and a combination of these two model could enable a better understanding of psychopathology. The recently proposed latent network model (LNM) has provided a statistical framework to enable this combination. Evidence has shown that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could be a suitable candidate disorder to study the combined model. In the current study, we initiated the first investigation of the latent network of PTSD symptoms. The latent network of DSM-5 PTSD symptoms was estimated in 1196 adult survivors of China's 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Validation testing of the latent network was conducted in a replication sample of children and adolescent who experienced various trauma types. PTSD symptoms were measured by the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). The latent network was estimated using the seven-factor hybrid model of DSM-5 PTSD symptoms, analysed using the R package lvnet. The latent network model demonstrated good fit in both samples. A strong weighted edge between the intrusion and avoidance dimensions was identified (regularized partial correlation = 0.75). The externalizing behaviour dimension demonstrated the highest centrality in the latent network. This study is the first to investigate the latent network of DSM-5 PTSD symptoms. Results suggest that both latent symptom dimension and associations between the dimensions should be considered in future PTSD studies and clinical practices.

• Publisher: Taylor & Francis,Taylor & Francis Ltd,Taylor & Francis Group
• Subject: Basic / factor latente / Latent factor / Post traumatic stress disorder / posttraumatic stress disorder / red de síntomas / symptom network / This is the first study to investigate the latent network model of mental disorders. Our study found PTSD could be well conceptualized by a hybrid framework of latent modeling and network modeling. Validation test in a replication sample showed good reliability of the latent network of PTSD symptoms / Trastorno de estrés postraumático / 创伤后应激障碍 / 潜在因素 / 症状网络