Lay Summary

1. We evaluated the symptom and network structure of PTSD and cPTSD using the International Trauma Questionnaire- Italian version (ITQ) and the prevalence of PTSD and cPTSD in a sample of 1010 late adolescents enriched with exposure to a destructive earthquake (2009 L’Aquila earthquake). 2. We found higher rates of PTSD compared to cPTSD; further, the network structure highlights the importance of negative self-concept in cPTSD and avoidance in PTSD. 3. This is the first study to report on ICD-11 PTSD and cPTSD rates on an Italian late adolescence community sample enriched with exposure to a natural disaster.

Background

The 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases has endorsed substantial changes in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and has introduced Complex PTSD (cPTSD). The objective of this study was to assess the symptom and network structure of PTSD and cPTSD using the International Trauma Questionnaire- Italian version (ITQ) and the prevalence of PTSD and cPTSD in a sample of late adolescents enriched with exposure to a destructive earthquake (2009 L’Aquila earthquake).

Methods

1010 high school students participated to the study. Participants completed the International Trauma Exposure Measure (ITEM), a 21-items checklist capturing traumatic life events and associated features, and the Italian version of the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) a self-report questionnaire measuring all aspects of the ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for PTSD and CPTSD.

Results

Confirmatory Factor Analysis supports that a six first-order correlated factors was the best fitting model of ICD-11 PTSD/cPTSD. The network analysis supports a clear separation between core PTSD symptoms and disturbance in self organization (DSO) symptoms, avoidance, and negative self-concept were the most central items. The prevalence of PTSD and cPTSD was 9.11% and 4.06%, respectively. Female participants reported higher rates of both PTSD and cPTSD.

Conclusion

This is the first study to report on ICD-11 PTSD and cPTSD rates on an Italian adolescence community sample. Consistent with other community samples, we found higher rates of PTSD compared to cPTSD. The results confirmed the factorial validity of the ITQ. The network structure highlights the importance of negative self-concept in cPTSD and avoidance in PTSD.