Assessing the factor structure of models for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder symptoms in a War-Related Civilian Sample

A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess the factor structure of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL–5) in a non-Western sample (N D 444) of former refugees and internally displaced persons (317 men, 128 women) who had experienced a 10- year civil war in Liberia. The 7-factor hybrid model demonstrated superior fit to the sample when compared to internal structures represented by 4- and 6-factor models depicting posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Implications for counseling outcome research are provided.