Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Race-Based Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale in a Sample of Asian American Adults

Objective: The present study examined the factor structure of the Race-Based Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale (RBTSSS) in a sample of Asian American adults. Method: The sample (n = 403) comprised 78% women, ages 18-72 years, who were administered the RBTSSS in a survey. A first-order and second-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted. Results: The RBTSSS demonstrated good internal consistency in the present study, Cronbach's alpha s = .78-.94. The first-order CFA revealed mixed model fit indices, chi(2)(1,253) = 3,431.52, p < .001, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = .066, comparative fit index (CFI) = .875, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = .868. The second-order CFA revealed similar mixed findings, chi(2)(1,267) = 3,559.93, p < .001, RMSEA = .067, CFI = .869, TLI = .863. Conclusions: Findings demonstrated mixed support for the factor structure of the RBTSSS in a sample of Asian American adults. Future research may consider additional testing of the RBTSSS in Asian Americans and further exploring the construct of racial trauma in Asian Americans. Clinical Impact StatementGiven the dramatic increase in anti-Asian discrimination following the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to understand the experiences of racial trauma in Asian Americans, this study aimed to examine the applicability of the Race-Based Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale (RBTSSS) in the Asian American community. Findings revealed that further research is needed to determine whether the RBTSSS may be the most suitable tool to assess racial trauma for Asian Americans in clinical practice.