Posttraumatic stress symptomology in parents of children with cancer: Implications related to criterion changes in DSM-IV-TR to DSM-5

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Abstract
Objective: This preliminary study compared a DSM-IV-TR screening tool for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) with a modified DSM-5 version for parents of children diagnosed with cancer. Methods: Caregivers (n = 101) completed the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Five BSI items were added to the IES-R to assess whether caregivers met DSM-5 specific posttraumatic stress disorder criteria. Results: Chi-square analysis revealed three groups: caregivers who (1) did not meet screening criteria for DSM-IV-TR or DSM-5; (2) only met DSM-IV-TR criteria; and (3) met criteria for DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5, X2(1, n = 101) = 64.47, p < 0.001. Subgroup 2 had lower overall PTSS than subgroup 3 (p < 0.001), but more than Subgroup 1 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: A “gap group” evidenced elevated PTSS but did not meet DSM-5 screening criteria. Further research is needed to clarify the prevalence and composition of PTSS among caregivers, and evaluate the clinical implications of the changes in diagnostic criteria.

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