The factor structure of the International Trauma Questionnaire – Heywood cases in confirmatory factor analysis
Background: A number of studies have tested the factor structure of the suggested ICD-11 symptom criteria for PTSD and complex PTSD (CPTSD) across various trauma populations, finding support for two different models in line with the ICD-11 theoretical rationale.Objective: Here, we aim to explore the...
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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/10.1080/20008066.2024.2444745 |
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| author | Karen-Inge Karstoft Erik Vindbjerg Anni B. S. Nielsen Søren Bo Andersen Sofie Folke |
| author_facet | Karen-Inge Karstoft Erik Vindbjerg Anni B. S. Nielsen Søren Bo Andersen Sofie Folke |
| author_sort | Karen-Inge Karstoft |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: A number of studies have tested the factor structure of the suggested ICD-11 symptom criteria for PTSD and complex PTSD (CPTSD) across various trauma populations, finding support for two different models in line with the ICD-11 theoretical rationale.Objective: Here, we aim to explore the factor structure of the Danish version of the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) by testing two alternative factor models that have previously gained support in a large sample of treatment-seeking veterans.Method: Treatment-seeking Danish soldiers and veterans (N = 599) recruited from the Military Psychology Department in the Danish Defence completed the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess fit of a first-order and a second-order model.Results: Both models fit the data well but displayed latent variable correlations above 1 and negative variances (known as Heywood cases), indicating model misspecification or other problems. The specification problems included the latent variable Affect Dysregulation.Conclusions: Based on our results and results reported in previous CFAs of the ITQ, we suggest consideration of the proposed models. While many previous studies did find support for the models with no indications of misfit, others find Heywood cases concerning the same items and latent variables as our analysis. Hence, models of (C)PTSD based on the ITQ should be carefully evaluated and interpreted. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8b55ed1e41364c40b17148b1eb788cbc |
| 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-8b55ed1e41364c40b17148b1eb788cbc2025-01-03T09:53:08ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEuropean Journal of Psychotraumatology2000-80662025-12-0116110.1080/20008066.2024.2444745The factor structure of the International Trauma Questionnaire – Heywood cases in confirmatory factor analysisKaren-Inge Karstoft0Erik Vindbjerg1Anni B. S. Nielsen2Søren Bo Andersen3Sofie Folke4Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DenmarkCompetence Center for Transcultural Psychiatry, Psychiatric Center Ballerup, The Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, DenmarkResearch and Knowledge Centre, Danish Veterans Centre, Ringsted, DenmarkResearch and Knowledge Centre, Danish Veterans Centre, Ringsted, DenmarkResearch and Knowledge Centre, Danish Veterans Centre, Ringsted, DenmarkBackground: A number of studies have tested the factor structure of the suggested ICD-11 symptom criteria for PTSD and complex PTSD (CPTSD) across various trauma populations, finding support for two different models in line with the ICD-11 theoretical rationale.Objective: Here, we aim to explore the factor structure of the Danish version of the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) by testing two alternative factor models that have previously gained support in a large sample of treatment-seeking veterans.Method: Treatment-seeking Danish soldiers and veterans (N = 599) recruited from the Military Psychology Department in the Danish Defence completed the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess fit of a first-order and a second-order model.Results: Both models fit the data well but displayed latent variable correlations above 1 and negative variances (known as Heywood cases), indicating model misspecification or other problems. The specification problems included the latent variable Affect Dysregulation.Conclusions: Based on our results and results reported in previous CFAs of the ITQ, we suggest consideration of the proposed models. While many previous studies did find support for the models with no indications of misfit, others find Heywood cases concerning the same items and latent variables as our analysis. Hence, models of (C)PTSD based on the ITQ should be carefully evaluated and interpreted.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20008066.2024.2444745International trauma questionnaireCFApsychometricsvalidationtreatment-seeking veteransmilitary |
| spellingShingle | Karen-Inge Karstoft Erik Vindbjerg Anni B. S. Nielsen Søren Bo Andersen Sofie Folke The factor structure of the International Trauma Questionnaire – Heywood cases in confirmatory factor analysis European Journal of Psychotraumatology International trauma questionnaire CFA psychometrics validation treatment-seeking veterans military |
| title | The factor structure of the International Trauma Questionnaire – Heywood cases in confirmatory factor analysis |
| title_full | The factor structure of the International Trauma Questionnaire – Heywood cases in confirmatory factor analysis |
| title_fullStr | The factor structure of the International Trauma Questionnaire – Heywood cases in confirmatory factor analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | The factor structure of the International Trauma Questionnaire – Heywood cases in confirmatory factor analysis |
| title_short | The factor structure of the International Trauma Questionnaire – Heywood cases in confirmatory factor analysis |
| title_sort | factor structure of the international trauma questionnaire heywood cases in confirmatory factor analysis |
| topic | International trauma questionnaire CFA psychometrics validation treatment-seeking veterans military |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20008066.2024.2444745 |
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