Examining Competing Factor Analysis Models of the PCL-5 Applied to the COVID-19 Pandemic

This investigation scrutinized various competing factor structures and psychometric properties for the COVID-19 version of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (COVID-19 PCL-5) to understand stress reactions to the pandemic. Participants (N = 985) completed this measure with instructions modified to exclusively refer to the COVID-19 pandemic as the stressful index event. Descriptive data showed that 76% of participants experienced at least one COVID-19 traumatic stress symptom. Confirmatory factor analysis evaluated various competing factor structures of the COVID-19 PCL-5: (a) one-factor model, (b) DSM-5 model, (c) dysphoria model, (d) dysphoric arousal model, (e) externalizing behaviors model, (f) anhedonia model, and (g) hybrid model. The factor structure exhibiting the strongest fit indexes was the hybrid model comprising seven factors: reexperiencing, avoidance, negative affect, anhedonia, externalizing behaviors, anxious arousal, and dysphoric arousal. In multiple regression analyses, six of the seven subscales from the COVID-19 PCL-5 hybrid factor structure variously predicted outcomes of depression, anxiety, stress, and coronavirus anxiety. These findings offer insights to researchers and mental health professionals for assessing, conceptualizing, and understanding the multifaceted traumatic stress symptoms attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.