Validation of the PCL-5, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 in a Sample of First Responders : Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

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Validation of the PCL-5, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 in a Sample of First Responders

Ahmadi, Aazi MA; Galusha, Jeanine M. PhD; Ponder, Warren N. PhD; Carbajal, Jose PhD; Schuman, Donna L. PhD; Whitworth, James PhD; Yockey, R. Andrew PhD

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Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 65(6):p 467-476, June 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002823

Objective 

First responders (FRs) commonly present for treatment with complex symptom constellations that frequently include posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and generalized anxiety. To date, no FR study has validated these measures on a treatment-seeking sample.

Methods 

Confirmatory factor analysis was utilized to validate measures that assess these constructs (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) on a treatment-seeking sample of FRs (N = 390).

Results 

The seven-factor posttraumatic stress disorder hybrid configuration was the best fit. The best fitting factor model of the depression measure was a two-factor structure, cognitive-affective and somatic depression. Lastly, generalized anxiety was a unidimensional construct.

Limitations 

Follow-up studies should validate these measures on each FR subtype.

Conclusion 

We position these findings within the FR literature, review clinical implications for providers, and offer recommendations for future research.

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