Posttraumatic stress disorder symptom checklist: Factor structure and English–Spanish measurement invariance

This study used confirmatory factor analysis to compare alternative models of the structure of posttraumatic distress symptoms as measured by the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist--Civilian version (PCL-C; F. W. Weathers, B. T. Litz, D. S. Herman, J. A. Huska, & T. M. Keane, 1993). Data were derived from English- (N = 299) and Spanish-speaking (N = 120) samples of young adult survivors of community violence recruited following hospitalization for physical injuries. The best fit to the data was a four-factor model measuring correlated dimensions of reexperiencing, avoidance, emotional numbing, and hyperarousal. English- and Spanish-language versions of the PCL-C showed general measurement equivalence.