Evaluating the PCL-5 in China: new insights from its assessments over time and gender invariance.

Background: In the latest research, it is proposed that the intrusions symptoms of the structure of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were divided into internally-generated and externally-generated. Additional research is required to validate this emerging theory. Moreover, few studies have employed longitudinal data to further validate the novel 8-factor model.

Aim: This study aims to explore the factor structure, gender invariance, and longitudinal invariance of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) among children in post-pandemic era.

Methods: A survey was conducted on 1861 children using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and 590 children were re-investigated over three months interval. The statistical analysis includes: Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, the missing rates and descriptive statistics of the study variables, confirmatory factor analysis, the gender measurement invariance, longitudinal measurement invariance, and correlation of each factor within the PCL-5.

Results: Based on the DSM-5 criteria, the results indicated that 6.8% of the children in the sample exhibited symptoms suggestive of possible PTSD. The novel 8-factor model fits better than the DSM-5 model, DSM-5 dysphoric model, Dysphoric arousal model, Anhedonia model, Externalizing behaviors model, and Hybrid model. The measurement invariance results further indicated that the PCL-5 has strict invariance across gender and strong invariance across time.

Conclusion: This study validated the novel 8-factor model of DSM-5 PTSD among children in the post-pandemic era and assessed the gender and longitudinal measurement invariance of the PCL-5. The novel 8-factor model of the PCL-5 is the best DSM-5 model of PTSD symptoms and has strict measurement invariance across gender and strong measurement invariance across time. The research results extended the theoretical framework and empirical research on the DSM-5 PTSD novel 8-factor model. Through this analysis, we hope to provide more accurate tools and strategies for the evaluation and intervention of post-traumatic stress disorder in children.