Do latent profiles of self-reported anxiety, depression, and PTSD map onto clinician ratings? An examination with intimate partner violence survivors

Objective

Studies exploring latent profiles of mental health in trauma survivors have largely relied on self-report, making it unclear whether these patterns correspond with clinician-assessed psychopathology. The purpose of the current study was to examine latent profiles of self-reported PTSD, depression, and anxiety in a sample of 387 women who had experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) and investigate whether profiles mapped onto clinician-rated measures of the same outcomes.

Method

Participants completed a series of semi-structured interviews and self-report measures assessing PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

Results

Latent profile analyses revealed a 3-profile solution characterized by Low (22.48 %), Moderate (37.98 %), and High (39.53 %) self-reported symptomology. Clinician ratings were significant predictors of membership in the low vs. moderate vs. high symptomology profiles. However, normalized means showed discrepancies between self-report and clinician assessment regarding which issue was rated most severe.

Conclusions

Results suggest that while latent modeling approaches relying on self-report may adequately approximate common underlying patterns of psychopathology, they have limitations in identifying which disorders are most salient for clinical intervention.