Factor Analysis of the Korean Version of the National Stressful Events Survey for PTSD - Short Scale (NSESSS-PTSD)

Abstract

Background: Research shows that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in hospital settings and needs to be screened and diagnosed accordingly. The National Stressful Events Survey for PTSD-Short Scale (NSESSS-PTSD) is a 9-item screening measure for DSM-5 PTSD that has not been evaluated for its factor solution in PTSD population. Methods: We used psychological data from 180 adults diagnosed with PTSD at a psychiatric outpatient unit of a university-affiliated hospital in South Korea. The data were randomly divided into exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Results: Exploratory analysis revealed a two-factor structure of the scale, with a total variance of 52.1%. Factor 1 was labeled 'psychological reaction,' and Factor 2 was labeled 'physiological arousal.' The results of confirmatory factor analysis further supported this two-factor model. Conclusion: This study supported the factorial validity of the Korean version of the NSESSS and adds up the psychometric support for its use in the PTSD population.