Empirical data have challenged chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 
consisting of three dimensions. In the present study we aimed to determine the 
factor structure of acute posttraumatic symptoms in two recently traumatized 
samples. In sample 1, 203 civilian trauma survivors were administered the 
Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS) approximately 1 week posttrauma. In sample 2, 182 
civilian treatment seeking trauma survivors completed the DTS at an average of 
41.4 days posttrauma. Our confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a 4-factor 
intercorrelated model provided the best representation of the data in both 
samples. The four factors are best described as reexperiencing, active 
avoidance, dysphoria, and hyperarousal. For acute posttraumatic symptoms, the 
empirical data suggest to split the avoidance cluster into 'Active avoidance' 
and 'Dysphoria'-confirming findings in studies on chronic PTSD. In future 
revisions of the DSM, the diagnostic criteria for PTSD may need to be adapted to 
fit the research findings.