Personal growth initiative as a buffer against suicide ideation severity in psychotherapy outpatients with depressive symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Many people who die by suicide experience major depressive disorder (MDD), but most people with MDD do not die by suicide and many do not report thoughts of death or suicide. This cross-sectional study examined the potential of personal growth initiative (PGI) skills to protect against suicide ideation among adult psychotherapy outpatients. METHOD: Adult outpatients (N = 178) completed measures of suicide ideation severity (SI), depressive symptom severity (DEP), and PGI skills (PGI) at intake. RESULTS: Although higher DEP significantly correlated with higher suicide ideation, a significant DEP × PGI interaction, indicated significant positive relations between DEP and SI only when PGI was at or below the mean for this sample. CONCLUSIONS: PGI skills may function as a protective factor against the development of suicide ideation even in the presence of severe depressive symptoms. This suggests that training PGI skills might prevent or reduce suicide ideation among depressed patients.

Personal growth initiative and posttraumatic stress among survivors of transportation accidents: Mixture modeling indicating changes in group membership over time.

The current study explored subgroups in reported personal growth initiative (PGI) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and examined the changes in class memberships among survivors of a transportation accident. Participants at Time 1 were 602 adults who reported directly experiencing a transportation accident within the past year (Mmonths = 6.36; SDmonths = 3.20). Of these participants, 171 adults completed the follow-up survey after 3 months (Time 2). Finite mixture modeling was conducted to identify the heterogeneity of PTSS in relation with PGI at each time point. At Time 1, a four-class model was the best-fitting model, and at Time 2, a three-class model was the best-fitting model. As hypothesized, when examined cross-sectionally, various subgroups were identified at each time point, finding subgroups with moderate to high levels of PGI but differing in their PTSS. However, when examining the longitudinal changes in class membership from Time 1 to Time 2, members of subgroups with higher PGI skills at Time 1 were more likely to be assigned to subgroups with lower PTSS at Time 2. The current study suggests a potential application of PGI skills in alleviating PTSS after a transportation accident and having a critical role in adjustment after hardship.

Personal growth Initiative: A robust and malleable predictor of treatment outcome for depressed partial hospital patients.

BACKGROUND: Current methods for treating depressive disorders ineffectively treat large portions of patients. We need to identify malleable factors that predict treatment outcome and can be modified prior to or concurrently with treatment to enhance outcomes. We examined personal growth initiative (PGI) as a malleable predictor of treatment outcome for depressed patients in partial hospital treatment. METHODS: Archival data were extracted from medical records of 521 adult patients with depression diagnoses (67.2% women) in a partial hospital program (2008 - 2010). Demographic data and admission and discharge scores for depression and PGI were extracted. ANCOVA assessed the extent to which reliable or clinically significant change in PGI predicted level of depression at discharge, controlling for admission depression levels. RESULTS: PGI and depression were significantly correlated at admission. PGI scores increased significantly from admission to discharge. Reliable and clinically significant improvement in PGI each significantly, uniquely, and negatively predicted depression at discharge, adjusting for admission depression. LIMITATIONS: The correlational nature of the longitudinal design precludes definitive statements regarding causality. A large portion of the initial sample was dropped due to substantial missing data, yielding the final N = 521. Dropped patients had higher levels of depression at discharge and increased likelihood of leaving treatment against medical advice, raising concerns about potential other, unmeasured differences. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm the utility of PGI as a malleable predictor of treatment outcome for depressed patients in partial hospital treatment and may have implications for using PGI-based interventions to enhance treatment outcomes.

Exploring patterns of personal growth initiative and posttraumatic stress: A latent profile analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the inconsistent relationship found between personal growth initiative (PGI) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) by exploring potential subgroups. In addition, after identifying the subgroups, potential predictors of these subgroups were examined. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 534 undergraduate students who experienced a potentially traumatic event (PTE). Data collection occurred from March 2013 to December 2014. METHODS: Because this was a preliminary study, archival data was used. Participants consisted of students who experienced a PTE within the past three years. RESULTS: Latent profile analysis indicated a five-class model as the best-fitting model. Direct exposure and intentionality of the event were significant predictors of class membership; length of time since event and gender did not predict class membership. CONCLUSIONS: The current study provides a potential explanation of the inconsistent results between PGI and PTSS and also highlights the importance of acknowledging subgroups when utilizing PGI after a PTE.

Personal Growth Initiative Scale - II: Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Brazilian Version / Escala de Iniciativa ao Crescimento Pessoal - II: Adaptação e Propriedades Psicométricas da Versão Brasileira / Escala de Iniciativa de Crecimiento Personal - II: Adaptación y Propiedades Psicométricas de la Versión Brasileña

Abstract The skills to change beliefs and behaviors in order to adapt to new contexts is identified as Personal Growth Initiative. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Brazilian Version of the Personal Growth Initiative Scale II (PGIS-II). A nationwide sample of 2,149 subjects (64.8% women, M = 37.91, SD = 10.78) was assessed. Exploratory factor analysis supported the first-order four-factor structure of the scale (readiness for change, planfulness, using resources, and intentional behavior). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) supported the first-order four-factor structure as being the most reliable to the data. Personal Growth Initiative (PGI) dimensions were positively related to optimism, presence of meaning in life, and life satisfaction. PGIS-II presented adequate psychometric properties, suggesting its usefulness in evaluating personal growth initiative.

Resumo As habilidades de modificar crenças e comportamentos a fim de se adaptar a novos contextos são identificadas como Iniciativa ao Crescimento Pessoal. Este estudo objetivou avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da versão brasileira da Escala de Iniciativa ao Crescimento Pessoal - II (ICP-II). Foi avaliada uma amostra nacional de 2.149 participantes (64,8% mulheres, M = 37,91, DP = 10,78). A análise fatorial exploratória apoiou a estrutura de quatro fatores de primeira ordem da escala (preparação para mudança, planejamento, comportamento intencional e uso de recursos). A análise fatorial confirmatória (AFC) evidenciou que a estrutura de quatro fatores de primeira ordem seria uma estrutura fidedigna aos dados. As dimensões da Iniciativa ao Crescimento Pessoal (ICP) estiveram positivamente associadas ao otimismo, presença de sentido de vida e satisfação com a vida. A ICP-II apresentou propriedades psicométricas adequadas, indicando sua utilidade para avaliar a iniciativa ao crescimento pessoal.

Resumen Las habilidades para cambiar creencias y comportamientos para adaptarse a nuevos contextos se identifican como Iniciativa de Crecimiento Personal. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de la versión brasileña de la Escala de Iniciativa de Crecimiento Personal - II (ICP-II). Fue valorada una muestra nacional compuesta por 2149 participantes (64,8% mujeres, M = 37,91, DE = 10,78). El análisis factorial exploratorio sostuvo la estructura de cuatro factores de primer orden de la escala (preparación para el cambio, planeamiento, conducta intencional y uso de recursos). Por su parte, el análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) evidenció que la estructura de cuatro factores de primer orden sería confiable respecto a los datos. Las dimensiones de la Iniciativa de Crecimiento Personal (ICP) estuvieron positivamente asociadas al optimismo, la presencia del sentido de la vida y la satisfacción con esta. La ICP-II presentó propiedades psicométricas adecuadas, indicando su utilidad para evaluar la iniciativa de crecimiento personal.

Function of Personal Growth Initiative on Posttraumatic Growth, Posttraumatic Stress, and Depression Over and Above Adaptive and Maladaptive Rumination.

OBJECTIVES: The current study examined whether various types of rumination are distinguishable and the effects of personal growth initiative (PGI) on posttraumatic growth, posttraumatic stress, and depression through adaptive and maladaptive rumination. METHOD: Sample included 292 college students who experienced a potentially traumatic event (PTE). RESULTS: Intrusive and deliberative rumination were found to be distinct factors. However, brooding and reflection, thought to be separate aspects of depression, were a single factor. PGI was positively associated with growth and negatively associated with depression for both genders, and a negative relationship was found between PGI and posttraumatic stress among women. Indirect effects of PGI were found on posttraumatic stress and growth through different forms of rumination. These relations did not change after including the covariates (i.e., time since the trauma, direct exposure, and intentional harm). CONCLUSION: The study provides new insight integrating rumination from the depression literature in the context of trauma and a potential benefit in applying PGI in alleviating pathology after a PTE and facilitating growth.

Posttraumatic stress and growth in student service members and veterans: The role of personal growth initiative.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the extent to which personal growth initiative (PGI) may predict posttraumatic stress and growth in student service members/veterans (SSM/V). PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 136 SSM/V (79% men) representing multiple branches of the armed forces. Forty-four percent of participants reported having combat experience. METHODS: Data collection occurred from October 2013 to February 2014. Data were collected via a Web-based survey that included demographics and measures of personal growth initiative, posttraumatic stress, posttraumatic growth, and perceived social support. RESULTS: Results indicated that PGI is not a unique predictor of posttraumatic stress but is a unique predictor of higher levels of posttraumatic growth. PGI appears to be at least as important as perceived social support in facilitating growth in SSM/V. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides further evidence for PGI's potential to facilitate growth after a traumatic event.

Assessing measurement invariance of the Personal Growth Initiative Scale-II among Hispanics, African Americans, and European Americans.

This study tested the cross-cultural validity of scores on the Personal Growth Initiative Scale-II (PGIS-II; Robitschek et al., 2012) with Hispanic, African American, and European American community samples. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses were performed on data from 218 Hispanics, 129 African Americans, and 552 European Americans to examine measurement equivalence among these groups. Measurement invariance of the PGIS-II was established with the original 4 factors of readiness for change, planfulness, using resources, and intentional behavior. These findings suggest the PGIS-II can be administered across these groups and provide meaningful comparisons and interpretations. All samples yielded good internal consistency estimates. The African American sample reported higher means than Hispanic and European American samples for all subscale and total mean scores, and Hispanics scored higher in planfulness, readiness for change, and total score than European Americans, indicating potential cultural factors influencing the scores. Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.

Personal growth initiative and identity formation in adolescence through young adulthood: mediating processes on the pathway to well-being.

Developing a personal identity is a challenging task throughout adolescence and the transition to adulthood. The present study sampling 551 14-35 year olds (54.1% female) examined personal growth initiative (PGI) as a potential predictor of core identity processes and explored whether identity functioned as a mediator on the pathway from PGI to self-esteem and depressive symptoms. Path analyses from a structural equation modeling approach indicated that all four components of PGI (i.e., planfulness, readiness for change, intentional behavior, and using resources) predicted different commitment and exploration processes, with planfulness being the most consistent predictor. Important age differences linking PGI-components to identity exploration were found. Finally, especially the degree to which individuals identified themselves with their identity commitments and the degree to which they relied on ruminative or maladaptive forms of identity exploration mediated pathways from PGI to self-esteem and depressive symptoms. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

The cultural lens approach to evaluating cultural validity of psychological theory.

In this article, we introduce the cultural lens approach (CLA), a novel approach to evaluating the extent to which a psychological theory applies across cultural groups. The CLA requires scholars to apply their accumulated knowledge about cultural influences and differences (e.g., independent and interdependent self-construals; Markus & Kitayama, 1991) to the ways in which theoretical propositions are interpreted and operationalized. First we highlight three limitations in existing approaches to cultural validity and the ways in which the CLA addresses these limitations. Next, we articulate the five steps involved in the CLA and apply it to three different theories from social, vocational, and positive psychology to demonstrate its broad utility. In all cases, we highlight how applying the CLA can generate multiple novel testable hypotheses to stimulate future research and to advance knowledge that is culturally sensitive.

Intentional growth training: developing an intervention to increase personal growth initiative.

BACKGROUND: A one-week intervention (Intentional Growth Training; IGT) to increase personal growth initiative (PGI) was created and tested in a series of studies to determine its effect on PGI level. Because PGI predicts psychological well-being and depression, IGT has potential to have considerable benefit on a person's mental health. METHODS: Study 1 was the initial assessment of whether IGT increased PGI greater than various control conditions. Study 2 employed an enhanced version of IGT and utilised the singular components of IGT determining which components were most impactful at increasing PGI. Study 3 was a narrative analysis of writing samples from Study 2 determining whether participant language varied by condition in use of negative or positive emotion, or personal growth-related words. RESULTS: In Study 1, PGI increased significantly across conditions. In Study 2, the growth activity only condition, and PGI education coupled with the growth activity, produced significant increases in PGI. In Study 3, those receiving only PGI education used more growth-related words than control conditions. CONCLUSION: The most effective IGT format appears to include both education about PGI and a growth activity. The benefits of utilising IGT are discussed.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the Personal Growth Initiative Scale-II.

The original Personal Growth Initiative Scale (PGIS; Robitschek, 1998) was unidimensional, despite theory identifying multiple components (e.g., cognition and behavior) of personal growth initiative (PGI). The present research developed a multidimensional measure of the complex process of PGI, while retaining the brief and psychometrically sound properties of the original scale. Study 1 focused on scale development, including theoretical derivation of items, assessing factor structure, reducing number of items, and refining the scale length using samples of college students. Study 2 consisted of confirmatory factor analysis with 3 independent samples of college students and community members. Lastly, Study 3 assessed test-retest reliability over 1-, 2-, 4-, and 6-week periods and tests of concurrent and discriminant validity using samples of college students. The final measure, the Personal Growth Initiative Scale-II (PGIS-II), includes 4 subscales: Readiness for Change, Planfulness, Using Resources, and Intentional Behavior. These studies provide exploratory and confirmatory evidence for the 4-factor structure, strong internal consistency for the subscales and overall score across samples, acceptable temporal stability at all assessed intervals, and concurrent and discriminant validity of the PGIS-II. Future directions for research and clinical practice are discussed.

Agentic personality characteristics and coping: their relation to trait anxiety in college students.

Anxiety and its disorders, often present before adulthood, have high personal and societal costs for men and women. This study tested a mediation model in which 3 forms of coping mediate the relation of 3 agentic personality characteristics (i.e., traits associated with the belief that people can effectively exercise control over their lives) to lower levels of anxiety within 1 subgroup of young adults (i.e., college students). The agentic personality characteristics were (a) hardiness, (b) personal growth initiative, and (c) coping self-efficacy. The forms of dispositional coping were (a) problem-focused, (b) emotion-focused, and (c) avoidant. Results suggest that agentic personality characteristics differentially relate to forms of coping and trait anxiety. In addition, coping appears to fully mediate the relations of the personality characteristics to anxiety. The results imply that agentic personality characteristics and coping are important in decreasing and/or protecting against anxiety, in part because of how they relate to forms of coping, and suggest the need for more research.