EVIDENCE FOR A DISSOCIATIVE SUBTYPE OF PTSD BY LATENT PROFILE AND CONFIRMATORY FACTOR ANALYSES IN A CIVILIAN SAMPLE

Background Dissociative symptoms are increasingly recognized in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of derealization and depersonalization symptoms via latent profile analyses ( LPA s) in a civilian PTSD sample and examine the relationship between PTSD and dissociative symptoms via factor analytic methods. Methods A civilian sample of individuals with PTSD predominantly related to childhood abuse ( n  = 134) completed a diagnostic interview for PTSD and comorbid psychiatric disorders. LPA s and confirmatory factor analyses ( CFA s) were performed on the severity scores for PTSD , derealization, and depersonalization symptoms. Results LPA s extracted three groups, one of which was uniquely characterized by high derealization and depersonalization symptoms, and accounted for 25% of the sample. Individuals in the dissociative subgroup also showed a higher number of comorbid A xis I disorders and a more significant history of childhood abuse and neglect. CFA s suggested the acceptance of a five factor solution in which dissociative symptoms are distinct from but correlate significantly with the core PTSD symptom clusters. Conclusions The results from LPA s and CFA s are concordant with the concept of a dissociative subtype in patients with PTSD and suggest that symptoms of derealization‐depersonalization and the core symptoms of PTSD are positively correlated. Thought should be given to including a dissociative subtype of PTSD in the DSM ‐5.