Posttraumatic stress disorder symptom checklist: Factor structure and English-Spanish measurement invariance

Abstract

This study used confirmatory factor analysis to compare alternative models of the structure of posttraumatic distress symptoms as measured by the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist - Civilian version (PCL-C; F. W. Weathers, B. T. Litz, D. S. Herman, J. A. Huska, & T. M. Keane, 1993). Data were derived from English- (N = 299) and Spanish-speaking (N = 120) samples of young adult survivors of community violence recruited following hospitalization for physical injuries. The best fit to the data was a four-factor model measuring correlated dimensions of reexperiencing, avoidance, emotional numbing, and hyperarousal. English- and Spanish-language versions of the PCL-C showed general measurement equivalence.