A French Adaptation of the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale

The factor structure of a French adaptation of the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS-F) based on the original scale by Foa, Cashman, Jaycox, and Perry (1997) was examined in 287 community members. Confirmatory factor analysis evaluated three models: the three symptom clusters of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM–IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994), the 4-factor King, Leskin, King, and Weathers (1998) model and the 4-factor Simms, Watson, and Doebbelling (2002) model. The data’s fit to the DSM–IV model was unacceptable. Both 4-factor models demonstrated a good fit; however, the Simms et al. (2002) model with intrusions, avoidance, dysphoria, and hyperarousal factors showed the best fit. Scores calculated for the Simms et al. (2002) factors showed good reliability and validity. The study also examined lifetime stressful event reporting and PTSD severity. “Stressful” events not traditionally defined as “traumatic” (e.g., death of a loved one) were frequently endorsed as the respondent’s most stressful event (i.e., index event) and corresponded to a possible PTSD diagnosis. Furthermore, PTSD severity was associated with negative emotional appraisals of the index event (DSM–IV criterion A2 for PTSD) and lifetime cumulative stressful event intensity whereas PTSD severity was not associated with the degree of physical harm of the index event (criterion A1). Lifetime stressful experiences are discussed in light of evidence supporting a dysphoria component in PTSD.