Psychometric properties of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory in a sample of Brazilian university students.

OBJECTIVE: To examine psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). METHOD: A total of 300 university students were evaluated though instruments that investigated trauma history, depression and posttraumatic symptoms, and personality traits through the Big Five model. Pearson's correlation was used to assess internal consistency, inter-item reliability and construct validity. Principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed to investigate the factor structure of the PTGI. RESULTS: Results confirmed the original five-factor structure. The results showed good internal consistency for the total scale (α = 0.91) and its subscales, ranging from α = 0.85 to α = 0.70. Also, evidence of construct and convergent validity was observed through correlations with posttraumatic and depression symptoms and personality measures. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that the Brazilian PTGI is reliable and showed adequate evidence of validity.

Psychometric properties of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory in a sample of Brazilian university students / Propriedades psicométricas do Inventário de Crescimento Pós-Traumático em uma amostra de estudantes universitários brasileiros

Abstract Objective: To examine psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Method: A total of 300 university students were evaluated though instruments that investigated trauma history, depression and posttraumatic symptoms, and personality traits through the Big Five model. Pearson's correlation was used to assess internal consistency, inter-item reliability and construct validity. Principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed to investigate the factor structure of the PTGI. Results: Results confirmed the original five-factor structure. The results showed good internal consistency for the total scale (α = 0.91) and its subscales, ranging from α = 0.85 to α = 0.70. Also, evidence of construct and convergent validity was observed through correlations with posttraumatic and depression symptoms and personality measures. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that the Brazilian PTGI is reliable and showed adequate evidence of validity.

Resumo Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo é examinar as propriedades psicométricas da versão brasileira do Inventário de Crescimento Pós-Traumático (Posttraumatic Growth Inventory - PTGI). Método: Foram avaliados 300 estudantes universitários através de instrumentos que investigaram histórico de trauma, sintomas pós-traumáticos e de depressão e traços de personalidade através do modelo Big Five. A correlação de Pearson foi utilizada para investigar consistência interna, confiabilidade entre itens e procedimentos de validade de construto. Análise de componentes principais e análise de fatores confirmatórios foram realizadas para investigar a estrutura fatorial do PTGI. Resultados: Os resultados confirmaram a estrutura original de cinco fatores. Os resultados mostraram boa consistência interna para a escala total (α = 0.91) e suas subescalas, variando de α = 0.85 a α = 0.70. Além disso, evidências de validade de construto e convergente foram observadas através de correlações com sintomas pós-traumáticos e de depressão e medidas de personalidade. Conclusões: Os resultados preliminares sugerem que o PTGI brasileiro é confiável e apresentou evidência de validade adequada.

The role of memory in posttraumatic stress disorder: implications for clinical practice / O papel da memória no transtorno de estresse pós-traumático: implicações para a prática clínica

Abstract Introduction: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent disorder with important social consequences. Several models have been developed with the aim of understanding the mechanisms underlying its symptoms. Intrusions are idiosyncratic symptoms that commonly take the form of involuntary recollection of images or flashbacks about the traumatic event. Objective: To review how memory is conceptualized in each of these models and the implications for clinical practice. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted through analysis of the perspectives of memory in theoretical models of PTSD. Results: Two main perspectives were identified: 1) models in which specific mechanisms of memory for processing traumatic events are proposed, especially those based on clinical studies, and 2) models in which common mnemonic mechanisms are utilized to explain the phenomenon, primarily based on basic experimental research studies investigating memory. The different theories based on these approaches have led to distinct psychotherapy interventions. Conclusion: In order to clarify these discrepancies, future research should aim for the methodological rigor of experimental studies, while maintaining the ecological applicability of findings. Cognitive experimental psychopathology is therefore an area on which research funding should be focused. Such studies could elucidate the role of mnemonic aspects in PTSD and how they impact psychological treatments.

Resumo Introdução: O transtorno de estresse pós-traumático (TEPT) é altamente prevalente e traz consequências sociais importantes. Diversos modelos foram desenvolvidos com o objetivo de compreender os mecanismos subjacentes aos seus sintomas. Intrusões constituem sintomas idiossincráticos, que regularmente tomam a forma de lembranças involuntárias de imagens ou flashbacks do evento traumático. Objetivo: Revisar como a memória é definida conceitualmente nos modelos teóricos propostos e as implicações para a prática clínica. Métodos: Uma revisão narrativa da literatura foi conduzida através da análise das perspectivas de memória em modelos teóricos de TEPT. Resultados: Duas perspectivas principais foram identificadas: 1) modelos com a proposição de mecanismos de memória específicos ao processamento de eventos traumáticos, especialmente apoiados em estudos clínicos, e 2) modelos em que mecanismos mnemônicos comuns são utilizados para explicar o fenômeno, primariamente baseados em estudos experimentais de base investigando memória. As diferentes teorias baseadas nessas perspectivas levaram a distintas abordagens psicoterapêuticas. Conclusões: Para clarificar essas discrepâncias, sugere-se que pesquisas futuras busquem maior rigor metodológico de estudos experimentais, mantendo a aplicabilidade ecológica dos achados. A psicopatologia cognitiva experimental é uma área na qual devem ser focados os financiamentos de pesquisa. Tais estudos podem elucidar o papel de aspectos mnemônicos no TEPT e como impactam tratamentos psicológicos.

The role of memory in posttraumatic stress disorder: implications for clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent disorder with important social consequences. Several models have been developed with the aim of understanding the mechanisms underlying its symptoms. Intrusions are idiosyncratic symptoms that commonly take the form of involuntary recollection of images or flashbacks about the traumatic event. OBJECTIVE: To review how memory is conceptualized in each of these models and the implications for clinical practice. METHODS: A narrative review of the literature was conducted through analysis of the perspectives of memory in theoretical models of PTSD. RESULTS: Two main perspectives were identified: 1) models in which specific mechanisms of memory for processing traumatic events are proposed, especially those based on clinical studies, and 2) models in which common mnemonic mechanisms are utilized to explain the phenomenon, primarily based on basic experimental research studies investigating memory. The different theories based on these approaches have led to distinct psychotherapy interventions. CONCLUSION: In order to clarify these discrepancies, future research should aim for the methodological rigor of experimental studies, while maintaining the ecological applicability of findings. Cognitive experimental psychopathology is therefore an area on which research funding should be focused. Such studies could elucidate the role of mnemonic aspects in PTSD and how they impact psychological treatments.