Latent profile analyses of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and generalized anxiety disorder symptoms in trauma-exposed soldiers. (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Contractor, Ateka A.; Elhai, Jon D.; Fine, Thomas H.; Tamburrino, Marijo B.; Cohen, Gregory; Shirley, Edwin; Chan, Philip K.; Liberzon, Israel; Galea, Sandro; Calabrese, Joseph R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychiatric research. Volume 68(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 19
• Page End: 26
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: PTSD -- Depression -- GAD -- Trauma-exposed soldiers -- Latent profile analyses; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental Disorders -- Periodicals; Maladies mentales -- Périodiques; Psychiatry; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2015.05.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3956

Abstract

Abstract: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is comorbid with major depressive disorder (MDD;Kessler et al., 1995 ) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD;Brown et al., 2001 ). We aimed to (1) assess discrete patterns of post-trauma PTSD-depression-GAD symptoms using latent profile analyses (LPAs), and (2) assess covariates (gender, income, education, age) in defining the best fitting class solution. The PTSD Checklist (assessing PTSD symptoms), GAD-7 scale (assessing GAD symptoms), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (assessing depression) were administered to 1266 trauma-exposed Ohio National Guard soldiers. Results indicated three discrete subgroups based on symptom patterns with mild (class 1), moderate (class 2) and severe (class 3) levels of symptomatology. Classes differed in symptom severity rather than symptom type. Income and education significantly predicted class 1 versus class 3 membership, and class 2 versus class 3. In conclusion, there is heterogeneity regarding severity of PTSD-depression-GAD symptomatology among trauma-exposed soldiers, with income and education predictive of class membership. Highlights: The sample consisted of 1266 trauma-exposed Ohio National Guard soldiers. Mild, moderate, and severe subgroups of PTSD-GAD-MDD were found. Classes differed in symptom severity rather than symptom type. Income and education significantly predicted class 1 versus class 3 membership, and class 2 versus class 3.