Assessing a five factor model of PTSD: Is dysphoric arousal a unique PTSD construct showing differential relationships with anxiety and depression?

► The newly proposed Dysphoric Arousal model provided superior fit compared to the Numbing and Dysphoria models. ► Dysphoric Arousal was differentiated from Anxious Arousal but not from Emotional Numbing when correlating the factors with depression. ► Statistical support was found for the Dysphoric Arousal model but the results question whether the Dysphoria model may be a more parsimonious option.