The underlying dimensions of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in an epidemiological sample of Chinese earthquake survivors

• The DSM-5 model fit better than the DSM-5 dysphoria model.
• The DSM-5 dysphoric arousal model fit significantly better than the DSM-5 model.
• The DSM-5 dysphoric arousal model fit significantly better than the DSM-5 dysphoria model.
• A six-factor model emerged as the best fitting model.

The current study investigated the underlying dimensions of DSM-5 PTSD symptoms in an epidemiological sample of Chinese earthquake survivors. The sample consisted of 810 females and 386 males, with a mean age of 47.9 years (SD = 10.0, range: 16–73). PTSD symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, and alternative models were evaluated with confirmatory factor analysis. Results indicated that a six-factor model comprised of intrusion, avoidance, negative affect, anhedonia, dysphoric arousal, and anxious arousal factors emerged as the best fitting model. The current findings add to limited literature on the latent structure of PTSD symptoms described in the recently released DSM-5, and carry implications for further trauma-related research and clinical practice.