Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Women From a Psychometric Perspective

• Published in: Journal of personality assessment 1998-04, Vol.70 (2), p.277-298
• Main Authors: Allen, Jon G., Coyne, Lolafaye, Huntoon, Janis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child Abuse - diagnosis; Child Abuse - psychology; Complex; Female; Humans; Medical sciences; Models, Psychological; Object Attachment; Patient Education as Topic; Personality Inventory; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychometric tests; Psychometrics; Psychometrics. Diagnostic aid systems; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - diagnosis; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - rehabilitation; Techniques and methods; Women
• ISSN: 0022-3891; 1532-7752
• DOI: 10.1207/s15327752jpa7002_7

Herman's (1992a) formulation of complex PTSD was not incorporated into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed. [DSM-IV]; American Psychiatric Association, 1994), but finds ample confirmation in personality assessment of women in inpatient treatment for trauma-related disorders. This study relates MCMI-III and Adult Attachment Scale scores to a self-report measure of childhood abuse and neglect, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Consistent with Herman's formulation, the data reveal a wide array of symptoms coupled with two facets of relationship disturbance: (a) enmeshment in ambivalence (depressive, dependent, and self-defeating personality as well as ambivalent attachment), and (b) more profound isolation (avoidant and schizoid personality coupled with profoundly insecure attachment). We present a model for using such psychometric findings in patient education and diagnostic evaluations.