The 7-factor hybrid model of DSM-5 PTSD symptoms and alcohol consumption and consequences in a national sample of trauma-exposed veterans. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Claycomb Erwin, Meredith; Charak, Ruby; Durham, Tory A.; Armour, Cherie; Lv, Xin; Southwick, Steven M.; Elhai, Jon D.; Pietrzak, Robert H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of anxiety disorders. Volume 51(2017:Oct.)
• Page Start: 14
• Page End: 21
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Alcohol use -- Posttraumatic stress disorder -- Comorbidity -- Confirmatory factor analysis; Anxiety -- Periodicals; Anxiety Disorders -- Periodicals; Angoisse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.8522
• DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2017.08.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-6185

Abstract

Highlights: Relations between a 7-factor hybrid model of PTSD and 2-factor AUDIT model were examined. Negative affect, anhedonia, and dysphoric arousal comprise internalizing symptoms. Internalizing symptoms correlated with alcohol consequences over anxious arousal. Alcohol consequences are most related to the internalizing symptoms of PTSD. Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to investigate associations between the 7-factor hybrid model of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, which includes intrusions, avoidance, negative affect, anhedonia, externalizing behaviors, anxious arousal, and dysphoric arousal symptoms, and alcohol consumption and consequences. A nationally representative sample of 916 trauma-exposed U.S. military veterans were administered the Trauma History Screen, PTSD Checklist-5, and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to determine associations between the 7-factor hybrid model of PTSD symptoms, and alcohol consumption and consequences. Results revealed that lifetime dysphoric arousal (r = 0.31), negative affect (r = 0.30), and anhedonia (r = 0.29) symptom clusters were most strongly associated with past-year alcohol consequences. No significant associations were observed for alcohol consumption. While the cross-sectional study design does not allow one to ascertain causative associations between PTSD factors and alcohol consumption and consequences, results generally align with the self-medication hypothesis, as PTSD factors reflecting internalizing were most strongly related to alcohol-related consequences. These results underscore the importance of assessing for alcohol use problems in veterans who score highly on PTSD symptoms reflecting internalizing symptomatology.