ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder and complex PTSD: prevalence, predictors, and construct validity in Swiss older adults
Background: This study assessed the prevalence rates, construct validity, predictors, and psychosocial factors linked to ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD), as assessed by the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) in a German-speaking sample of Swiss older adults...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Psychotraumatology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20008066.2024.2445368 |
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| author | Myriam V. Thoma Enya Redican Nathanael Adank Valerie B. Schneemann Mark Shevlin Andreas Maercker Shauna L. Rohner |
| author_facet | Myriam V. Thoma Enya Redican Nathanael Adank Valerie B. Schneemann Mark Shevlin Andreas Maercker Shauna L. Rohner |
| author_sort | Myriam V. Thoma |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: This study assessed the prevalence rates, construct validity, predictors, and psychosocial factors linked to ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD), as assessed by the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) in a German-speaking sample of Swiss older adults.Method: Participants were N = 1526 older adults aged 65+ (Mage = 72.34; SD = 6.20 years; age range = 65–95; female = 72.0%). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested alternative models of the latent structure of the ITQ. Risk factors and psychological outcomes associated with the ITQ subscales were also examined.Results: From the total sample, 86.2% had experienced at least one potentially traumatic event (PTE), with a median of three PTEs per person. Probable PTSD and CPTSD prevalence was 0.4% and 2.4%, respectively. CFA results indicated that a two-factor second-order model best captured the latent structure of the ITQ. Female gender and specific traumas, such as physical and sexual assault, were uniquely associated with PTSD. Fewer, non-specific factors were linked to disturbances in self-organization (DSO; encompassing affective dysregulation, a negative self-view, and difficulties in relationships). The PTSD and CPTSD factors were significantly associated with loneliness, anxiety, depression, and well-being.Conclusions: Results found that despite high trauma exposure among Swiss older adults, the prevalence of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD was low, with no significant gender differences. A two-factor second-order model provided the best fit for the ITQ. These findings indicate significant trauma exposure in Swiss older adults and the need for targeted interventions that address the trauma-specific and associated psychosocial challenges (i.e. loneliness, anxiety, depression, well-being) facing older adults. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-00ed53c75aa448138399d8117bb6eda5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2000-8066 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Psychotraumatology |
| spelling | doaj-art-00ed53c75aa448138399d8117bb6eda52025-01-03T08:51:12ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEuropean Journal of Psychotraumatology2000-80662025-12-0116110.1080/20008066.2024.2445368ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder and complex PTSD: prevalence, predictors, and construct validity in Swiss older adultsMyriam V. Thoma0Enya Redican1Nathanael Adank2Valerie B. Schneemann3Mark Shevlin4Andreas Maercker5Shauna L. Rohner6Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Zurich, SwitzerlandSchool of Psychology, Ulster University, Coleraine, UKDepartment of Psychology, University of Zurich, Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Zurich, SwitzerlandDepartment of Psychology, University of Zurich, Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Zurich, SwitzerlandSchool of Psychology, Ulster University, Coleraine, UKDepartment of Psychology, University of Zurich, Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Zurich, SwitzerlandDepartment of Psychology, University of Zurich, Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Zurich, SwitzerlandBackground: This study assessed the prevalence rates, construct validity, predictors, and psychosocial factors linked to ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD), as assessed by the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) in a German-speaking sample of Swiss older adults.Method: Participants were N = 1526 older adults aged 65+ (Mage = 72.34; SD = 6.20 years; age range = 65–95; female = 72.0%). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested alternative models of the latent structure of the ITQ. Risk factors and psychological outcomes associated with the ITQ subscales were also examined.Results: From the total sample, 86.2% had experienced at least one potentially traumatic event (PTE), with a median of three PTEs per person. Probable PTSD and CPTSD prevalence was 0.4% and 2.4%, respectively. CFA results indicated that a two-factor second-order model best captured the latent structure of the ITQ. Female gender and specific traumas, such as physical and sexual assault, were uniquely associated with PTSD. Fewer, non-specific factors were linked to disturbances in self-organization (DSO; encompassing affective dysregulation, a negative self-view, and difficulties in relationships). The PTSD and CPTSD factors were significantly associated with loneliness, anxiety, depression, and well-being.Conclusions: Results found that despite high trauma exposure among Swiss older adults, the prevalence of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD was low, with no significant gender differences. A two-factor second-order model provided the best fit for the ITQ. These findings indicate significant trauma exposure in Swiss older adults and the need for targeted interventions that address the trauma-specific and associated psychosocial challenges (i.e. loneliness, anxiety, depression, well-being) facing older adults.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20008066.2024.2445368ICD-11Complex posttraumatic stress disorderInternational Trauma Questionnairetraumaconstruct validitySwitzerland |
| spellingShingle | Myriam V. Thoma Enya Redican Nathanael Adank Valerie B. Schneemann Mark Shevlin Andreas Maercker Shauna L. Rohner ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder and complex PTSD: prevalence, predictors, and construct validity in Swiss older adults European Journal of Psychotraumatology ICD-11 Complex posttraumatic stress disorder International Trauma Questionnaire trauma construct validity Switzerland |
| title | ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder and complex PTSD: prevalence, predictors, and construct validity in Swiss older adults |
| title_full | ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder and complex PTSD: prevalence, predictors, and construct validity in Swiss older adults |
| title_fullStr | ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder and complex PTSD: prevalence, predictors, and construct validity in Swiss older adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder and complex PTSD: prevalence, predictors, and construct validity in Swiss older adults |
| title_short | ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder and complex PTSD: prevalence, predictors, and construct validity in Swiss older adults |
| title_sort | icd 11 posttraumatic stress disorder and complex ptsd prevalence predictors and construct validity in swiss older adults |
| topic | ICD-11 Complex posttraumatic stress disorder International Trauma Questionnaire trauma construct validity Switzerland |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20008066.2024.2445368 |
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