Patterns of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms in an epidemiological sample of Chinese earthquake survivors: A latent profile analysis

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are highly comorbid in association with serious clinical consequences. Nevertheless, to date, no study using latent class or latent profile analysis (LCA/LPA) has examined patterns of co-occurring PTSD and depression symptoms among natural disaster survivors, nor has the distinctiveness of DSM-5 PTSD and depression symptoms been clarified in the aftermath of trauma. This study was primarily aimed at filling these gaps.

Methods: LPA was used to examine self-reported PTSD and depression symptoms in an epidemiological sample of 1196 Chinese earthquake survivors.

Results: A 4-class solution characterized by low symptoms (53.9%), predominantly depression (18.2%), predominantly PTSD (18.9%) and combined PTSD-depression (9.0%) patterns fit the data best. Demographic characteristics and earthquake-related exposures were specifically or consistently associated with the non-parallel profiles varying in physical health impairment.

Limitations: A sample exposed to specific traumatic events was assessed by self-report measures.

Conclusions: The distinctiveness of DSM-5 PTSD and depression symptoms following an earthquake suggests that PTSD and depression may be independent sequelae of psychological trauma rather than a manifestation of a single form of psychopathology. The current findings support the distinction between PTSD and depression constructs, and highlight the need for identifications of natural disaster survivors at high risk for PTSD and/or depression, and interventions individually tailored to one's symptom presentations.