Cited by 50Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchSleep and related disordersPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research

STATISTICAL SUPPORT FOR SUBTYPES IN POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: THE HOW AND WHY OF SUBTYPE ANALYSIS: Review: Statistical Support for Subtypes

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Dalenberg, Constance J., Glaser, Dale, Alhassoon, Omar M.·2012·Depression and Anxiety

Abstract

A number of researchers have argued for the existence of different subtypes of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the current paper we present criteria by which to assess these putative subtypes, clarify potential pitfalls of the statistical methods employed to determine them, and propose alternative methods for such determinations. Specifically, three PTSD subtypes are examined: (1) complex PTSD, (2) externalizing/internalizing PTSD, and (3) dissociative/nondissociative PTSD. In addition, three criteria are proposed for subtype evaluation, these are the need for (1) reliability and clarity of definition, (2) distinctions between subtypes either structurally or by mechanism, and (3) clinical meaningfulness. Common statistical evidence for subtyping, such as statistical mean difference and cluster analysis, are presented and evaluated. Finally, more robust statistical methods are suggested for future research on PTSD subtyping.

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  • Research in BPD has found reasonably strong relationships between dissociation and childhood trauma, especially sexual abuse, physical abuse, attachment difficulties, and parental neglect.

    “Research in BPD has found reasonably strong relationships between dissociation and childhood trauma, especially sexual abuse [118, 121–124], physical abuse, attachment difficulties, and parental neglect [118, 125, 126]”

    From Dissociation and Alterations in Brain Function and Structure: Implications for Borderline Personality Disorder (2017) · cites this paper as [125]

    The Complex PTSD section discusses dissociation in relation to PTSD and repeated interpersonal trauma, not the claimed relationships in people with BPD. Searches for BPD, attachment difficulties, parental neglect, and the specified forms of abuse found no passage establishing those relationships in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)

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Authors
Dalenberg, C. J., Glaser, D., & Alhassoon, O. M.
Affiliations
Alliant University (US)
Corresponding author
Dalenberg, Constance J.
Venue
Depression and Anxiety
Published
2012-03-23
Volume
29
Issue
8
Pages
671-678
ISSN
1091-4269 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1804517214
Cited by
50
References
71
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
FWCI
0.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Depression and Anxiety (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
Keywords
post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD subtypes, complex PTSD, dissociation, clustering, clinical meaningfulness
MeSH terms
Dissociative Disorders, Humans, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Models, Statistical, Cluster Analysis

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