The Factor Structure and Composite Reliability of the Profile of Emotional Distress

The current study provides the first assessment of the latent structure of the Profile of Emotional Distress (PED: Opris & Macavei, 2007). The PED is a self-report measure of emotional distress associated strongly with its links to Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy(REBT). To date, the PED has been weakly conceptualised using both unitary and binary models of emotional distress. In this study, the dimensionality of the PED was examined within an alternative models framework using confirmatory factor analysis. Three hundred and thirteen (N = 313) law enforcement, military, and related emergency service personnel completed the PED. Results indicated that a bifactor model conceptualisation was the best fit of the data. The bifactor model included a single general factor (Emotional Distress) and four grouping factors (Concern, Anxiety, Sadness, and Depression). Model parameter estimates indicated that the Emotional Distress factor accounts for the majority of covariance among the observable indicators. Low factor loadings were observed on each of the grouping factor thus subscale construction is not recommended. Composite reliability results demonstrated that the Emotional Distress factor possesses excellent internal reliability. The PED was found to be a reliable and valid measure of emotional distress.