Exploring the relationship between underlying dimensions of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression in a national, trauma-exposed military sample

Abstract

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are highly comorbid and intercorrelated. Yet little research has examined the underlying processes explaining their interrelationship. Method: In the present survey study, the investigators assessed the combined symptom structure of PTSD and depression symptoms, to examine shared, underlying psychopathological processes. Participants included 740 Canadian military veterans from a national, epidemiological survey, previously deployed on peacekeeping missions and administered the PTSD Checklist and Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). Results: An eight-factor PTSD/depression model fit adequately. In analyse..