Validity and reliability of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory among Japanese women with cesarean section.

This study aimed to examine the validity and reliability of the expanded version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Japanese version (PTGI-X-J) among Japanese women who delivered by cesarean section. The study is a cross-sectional survey psychometric study. Participants were 517 Japanese women who were in the hospital after childbirth by cesarean section at six general hospitals and two obstetric clinics in Tokai Region, Japan. They completed a self-report questionnaire-which included sociodemographic and childbirth information and obstetric history, the PTGI-X-J, and the Postnatal Women Version of the Japanese-Language Version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R-J-PWV). We conducted an exploratory factor analysis to evaluate the factorial validity of the PTGI-X-J. We confirmed the internal consistency reliability of the Postpartum Women Version of PTGI-X-J (PTGI-X-J-PWV) using Cronbach's α coefficients and examined Spearman's correlation coefficients between the PTGI-X-J-PWV and the IES-R-J-PWV. The exploratory factor analysis resulted in a 22-item measure that comprised four factors: strength as mothers, spiritual change as mothers, new possibilities as mothers and appreciation of life, and relating to others as mothers. The PTGI-X-J-PWV exhibited good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.94), and a weak significant positive correlation with the IES-R-J-PWV (rs = 0.18, p < 0.001) was evident. The results of this study indicated that the PTGI-X-J-PWV was a valid and reliable tool for measuring postpartum posttraumatic growth among Japanese women who have delivered by cesarean section. By accurately measuring mothers' posttraumatic growth, midwives and nurses can provide the kind of care that encourages their growth as mothers.

Reliability and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Short Form of the Expanded Version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-X-SF-J): A Cross-Sectional Study.

A Japanese version of the short form of the expanded Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-X-SF-J) was developed in this study, as the extended version captures broader, more diverse personal growth perspectives, such as existential spiritual growth. We collected cross-sectional data from 408 (first sample) and 284 (second sample) Japanese university students using the expanded version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-X-J). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed with the first sample and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with the second; reliability and validity were examined. The short-form version resulting from the EFA and CFA comprised 10 items and five factors. Cronbach's alpha for the PTGI-X-SF-J total and subscale scores ranged from 0.671 to 0.875. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the total and subscale scores between the PTGI-X-J and PTGI-X-SF-J ranged from 0.699 to 0.821. Regarding external validity, no significant correlation was found between posttraumatic growth and posttraumatic stress disorder checklists. Due to its brevity, the PTGI-X-SF-J can help assess diverse spiritual and existential personal growth experiences among clients, patients, and trauma survivors while reducing physical and psychological burdens.

Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Expanded: Factor Structure, Test-Retest Reliability, and Validity in Trauma-Exposed and Bereaved Adults.

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a positive psychological change experienced after trauma and it has gained global recognition in recent years. The present study aimed to validate a South Korean version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Expanded (K-PTGI-X) for use with trauma-exposed and bereaved samples. A national sample comprising South Korean adults was used for the analysis. As a result, the 4-factor bi-factor model was best supported in both the trauma and bereaved groups in terms of personal strength, new possibilities, spiritual-existential change, and being able to relate to others. Additionally, the K-PTGI-X showed satisfying reliability, concurrent validity, and discriminant validity. Lastly, regarding the group differences, women showed higher rates of PTG than men and the bereaved group exhibited higher spiritual and existential growth in the PTG than the trauma group. Given these results, implications for adaptation in various fields when assessing and encouraging PTG in practical settings are discussed.

A bright side of adversity? A systematic review on posttraumatic growth among refugees.

Until the third trimester of 2022, 103 million people worldwide had been forced to leave their homes and become refugees. The traumatic experiences of refugees can lead not only to mental disorders but also to Posttraumatic Growth (PTG). (1) To find the variables positively and negatively associated with PTG in refugees. (2) To investigate the relationship between PTG and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among refugees. We systematically searched Medline, Web of Knowledge, PsycInfo, Scopus, and PTSD Pubs for studies about PTG in refugees. Epidemiological studies using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Grey literature, reviews, and meta-analysis. Risk of bias was assessed by the 'The Joanna Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal Tool'. We included 24 studies investigating PTG and associated factors. The factors positively associated with PTG were social support, regular migration status, religiosity, satisfaction with life, time, and problem-focussed and emotion-focussed coping. The factors negatively associated with PTG were: irregular migration status, emotional suppression, and avoidance coping. Studies on PTG in refugees are essential to finding new ways to address mental health in this field. Few studies offered risk of bias, particularly regarding the sample selection. We conclude that PTG may be influenced by many factors and it would be of importance that the centres for support, as well as public policies, took that into account to foster the outcome and not only to focus on disease. This study was partially supported by CAPES and registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020215607).

Encouraging inflated reports of posttraumatic growth: the presence of a wording effect on self-reports of posttraumatic growth.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) refers to positive psychological changes that result from a traumatic experience. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and the Stress-Related Growth Scale (SRGS) are the two most commonly used measures of PTG. One criticism of these measures is that all their items are positively worded (for example, "I have a greater feeling of self-reliance"). DESIGN AND METHODS: In the current paper, we conducted two studies that examined a possible wording effect in these two measures. RESULTS: In Study 1, we found that positively worded items on the PTGI are positively correlated with the negatively worded version of the same items. Additionally, the positively and negatively worded versions of these items formed two separate factors, further suggesting a wording effect. In Study 2, we conducted an experimental design by comparing self-reports of PTG when randomly assigned to complete either positively- or neutrally worded versions of the items. We found that participants reported 27% less PTG when given neutrally worded items. CONCLUSIONS: The combined results strongly suggest a wording effect that encourages overreporting of self-reports of PTG.

Posttraumatic Growth and Its Measurement: A Closer Look at the PTGI's Psychometric Properties and Structure.

Despite negative connotations, surviving trauma can result in improvements in some domains of a person's life. This phenomenon is known as posttraumatic growth (PTG), and it is typically measured using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Given the ambiguous results of the existing validation studies, the present study aimed to verify the psychometric properties of the Slovak version of the PTGI in a representative sample of Slovak citizens. Although the results suggest that a modified one-factor structure fit the data best, other issues, such as extremely high correlations between the latent factors related to the PTGI's factor structure, were observed. It is likely that the application of the latent variable model does not represent the essence of PTG adequately and the network approach thus appears to be a far more suitable conceptualization of PTG. More detailed information on between-person differences and within-person changes in PTG could help to tailor more effective interventions or preventive programs.

The posttraumatic growth inventory-short form (PTGI-SF): A psychometric study of the spanish population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

People can experience posttraumatic growth (PTG) when faced with potentially traumatic events. One of the most widely-used instruments to measure PTG is the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form (PTGI-SF). However, it has not been validated for the Spanish population. This study explored the psychometric properties of the PTGI-SF in adults living in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since it is a global disaster, two items were added to assess communal PTG. The participants were adult inhabitants of Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 855). They completed the PTGI-SF in July 2020, along with the Impact of Event Scale - Revised to measure symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They also rated the degree to which they perceived the COVID-19 crisis as being severe. In November 2020, 592 participants once again completed the PTGI-SF. The factorial validity o was tested by Structural Equations Modeling (SEM). McDonald's ω coefficients were calculated to test internal consistency. The Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was obtained to assess test-retest reliability. Sensitivity and criterion-related validity were assessed by exploring the association of the PTGI-SF scores with gender, age, PTSD symptoms, and perceived severity. Results indicated good psychometric properties for an eight-item, four-factor structure of the inventory in terms of structural validity, reliability, sensitivity and criterion-related validity. These factors were: Relating to Others, Personal Strength, Spiritual Change, and Life Value and Opportunities. Communal PTG overlapped with social PTG, and therefore it was not included. Cultural differences need to be addressed when measuring PTG, especially in terms of spiritual growth.

Implications of posttraumatic growth for the treatment of comorbid substance abuse among survivors of traumatic experiences.

OBJECTIVES: Research suggests that individuals treated for substance use disorders are not routinely assessed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology despite high rates of comorbidity. One area of research that has been overlooked in theory, research, and practice on the comorbidity of substance use disorders and PTSD is the study of post-traumatic growth. The purpose of the current study is to explore the relevance of post-traumatic growth for the treatment of comorbid substance use disorders among individuals suffering from traumatic stress or PTSD. METHOD: A sample of 256 adults who survived the 2010 earthquake in Haiti completed measures of coping and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). The study regressed a measure of substance use coping on the scores on the subscales of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory adjusting for PTSD symptoms, general coping, and religious coping. RESULTS: The findings suggest that one PTGI subscale, appreciation of life, was a statistically significant predictor of substance use coping among trauma survivors. CONCLUSION: The principles of post-traumatic growth may have clinical implications for comorbid substance use among survivors of traumatic events. This study provides a path forward in efforts to create rapprochement between basic research and clinical services in the treatment of comorbid substance use in trauma survivors.

Psychometric Properties of the Farsi Version of Posttraumatic Growth Inventory for Children-Revised in Iranian Children with Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Coping with childhood cancer, as a stressful incident, can lead to a growth in various aspects of the child's life. Therefore, this study aims to validate Posttraumatic Growth Inventory for Children-Revised (PTGI-C-R) in children with cancer. METHODS: This methodological research was carried out in referral children hospitals in Tehran. PTGI-C-R was translated and back-translated. Content and face validity were assessed. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed on 200 children with inclusion criteria, using LISREL V8.5. Due to the rejection of the model, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was done, using SPSS V21. The correlation of posttraumatic growth (PTG) with the variables, i.e., age and gender, was investigated. RESULTS: Some writing changes were made in phrases in the sections concerning face and content validity. CFA rejected the five-factor model due to the undesirable fit indices. Therefore, an EFA was used and the three-factor model was not approved, either despite the statistical appropriateness or due to the lack of similarity between the items loaded on factors. The results also indicated a significant relationship between PTG and age (r = 0.13, P = 0.05). There is no significant relationship between PTG and gender (z = -1.35, P = 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: PTGI-C-R does not have desirable psychometric properties in Iranian children with cancer and may not be able to reflect all the aspects of PTG experienced by them. Therefore, it cannot be used as an appropriate scale, and it is necessary to develop and validate a specific tool through a qualitative study.

The factor structure of the posttraumatic growth inventory in cancer patients in Turkey.

Posttraumatic growth is a positive psychological change that occurs as a result of tackling vital crises. Although cancer is perceived as a fatal disease, the individual's struggle with many negative conditions during diagnosis and treatment can provide positive change and development. The aim of this study was to examine the factor structure of the posttraumatic growth inventory (PTGI) in Turkish cancer patients. This study included 265 cancer patients receiving treatment at the chemotherapy unit of two university hospitals located in northern Turkey. Percentages, frequencies, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to analyse the data, and Cronbach's α measured internal consistency. EFA yielded a five-factor structure: Spiritual and existential change, change in perception of life and selfness, relating to others, personal strength and new possibilities. Fit indices for CFA were root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), 0.06; non-normed fit index (NNFI), 0.92; comparative fit index (CFI), 0.90; root mean residuals (RMR), 0.06; and goodness-of-fit index (GFI), 0.90. The overall Cronbach's α of the scale was 0.93. PTGI was determined as a reliable and valid tool for Turkish cancer patients. PTGI, which has a determined validity and reliability rate, can be used by healthcare professionals working with oncology patients to evaluate the positive psychological growth and changes in cancer patients and determine their adoption rate.

Dynamic interplay between PTSD symptoms and posttraumatic growth in older military veterans.

BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) refers to positive psychological changes that may occur after experiencing a traumatic event. While cross-sectional studies have suggested that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with greater PTG, few longitudinal studies have evaluated interrelationships between PTSD and PTG. Further, little is known about which specific symptom clusters of PTSD and coping mechanisms may drive PTG over time. METHODS: We evaluated interrelationships between PTSD symptoms and PTG using data from a 4-year, nationally representative, prospective cohort study of 2,006 older trauma-exposed U.S. veterans. RESULTS: Autoregressive cross-lagged panel regression analyses revealed that greater severity of PTSD symptoms was associated with greater PTG over time. Specifically, greater severity of the avoidance and anxious arousal (e.g., hypervigilance) symptoms at Wave 1 predicted greater PTG at Wave 2; and greater severity of avoidance and lower severity of dysphoric arousal (e.g., sleep disturbance) at Wave 2 predicted greater PTG at Wave 3. Engagement in active coping and religious coping were associated with greater subsequent PTG above and beyond autoregressive associations between PTSD and PTG. LIMITATIONS: The self-report nature of the assessments, discrete assessment periods assessed, and focus on older military veterans are study limitations. CONCLUSIONS: Greater severity of PTSD symptoms, particularly avoidance and hyperarousal symptoms, may contribute to and maintain PTG over time in older veterans. Interventions that promote deliberate, constructive attempts to manage chronic PTSD symptoms via active coping and religious coping may help veterans better manage PTSD symptoms and experience greater PTG in late-life.

Medindo o crescimento proveniente do enfrentamento de situações adversas: a influência da centralidade da memória autobiográfica / Measuring growth through adversity: the influence of the autobiographical memory centrality / Midiendo el crecimiento proveniente del enfrentamiento de situaciones adversas: influencia de la centralidad de la memoria autobiográfica

O crescimento pós-traumático (CPT) refere-se à mudança positiva em algum aspecto da experiência humana como resultado do enfrentamento de situações adversas. O presente trabalho investigou se as evidências de validade externa do Inventário de Crescimento PósTraumático (PTGI) são mais consistentes quando se compara os resultados de um subgrupo que pontuou alto na Escala de Centralidade de Eventos (ECE) com os de um subgrupo que pontuou baixo. A ECE avalia em que medida o evento de referência contribuiu na formação da identidade dos indivíduos. Participaram do estudo 317 indivíduos que passaram por situações adversas variadas. As correlações entre CPT e suporte social, sentido de vida, satisfação com a vida, religiosidade e desajuste psicológico apresentaram maior magnitude e coerência no subgrupo pontuou alto na ECE. Os resultados fortalecem a concepção de que apenas eventos que levam a uma reavaliação das crenças centrais dos indivíduos devem ser incluídos nos estudos de CPT.

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is the experience of positive change that occurs as a result of facing highly challenging adverse situations. The present work investigated whether the external validity evidence of the Post Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) is more consistent when considering the events in which individuals scored high on the Centrality of Events Scale (CES) versus events in which individuals scored low. The CES assesses to what extent the reference event contributed to the formation of individuals' identity. Participated in the study 317 individuals who had been through a variety of adverse events. The correlations between PTGI scores and social support, meaning in life, life satisfaction, religiosity, and psychological distress became larger and more coherent in the subgroup that scored high in ECE. The results corroborate the conception that only events that lead to a reassessment of individuals' central beliefs should be included in the PTG studies.

Crecimiento postraumático (CPT) se refiere al cambio positivo en algún aspecto de la experiencia humana como resultado del enfrentamiento de situaciones adversas. Este trabajo investigó si las evidencias de validez externa del Inventario de Crecimiento PostTraumático (PTGI) son más consistentes cuando se compara los resultados de un subgrupo punteado alto en la Escala de Centralidad de Eventos (ECE) con los de un que punteaba bajo. La ECE evalúa en qué medida el evento de referencia contribuyó en la formación de la identidad de los individuos. Participaron del estudio 317 individuos que pasaron por situaciones adversas variadas. Las correlaciones entre CPT y las demás variables de interés presentaron mayor magnitud y coherencia en el subgrupo puntuó alto en la ECE. Los resultados fortalecen la concepción de que sólo los eventos que conducen a una reevaluación de las creencias centrales deben ser incluidos en los estudios de CPT.

Análise fatorial confirmatória da versão brasileira do Inventário de Crescimento Pós-Traumático / Confirmatory factor analysis of the Brazilian version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory / Análisis factorial confirmatorio de la bersión brasileira del Inventario de Crecimiento Postraumático

O Inventário de Crescimento Pós-Traumático (PTGI) é um instrumento de autorrelato que avalia mudanças positivas provenientes do enfrentamento de situações adversas. O presente estudo investigou a estrutura fatorial da versão brasileira do instrumento (PTGI-B). Participaram da pesquisa 321 pessoas que passaram por situações adversas variadas. Por meio do método de análise fatorial confirmatória, testou-se cinco diferentes modelos de estrutura fatorial. A estrutura convencional de cinco fatores foi a que melhor se adequou aos dados. No entanto, a estrutura hierárquica de cinco fatores de primeira ordem organizados em torno de um fator geral de segunda também apresentou índices de ajuste adequados. O estudo replica a estrutura fatorial original do PTGI (relacionamento com os outros, novas possibilidades, força pessoal, apreciação pela vida e mudança espiritual). Além disso, os resultados indicam que as análises com o PTGI-B podem ser realizadas tanto considerando as subdimensões do instrumento, quanto uma dimensão geral de crescimento pós-traumático. (AU)

The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) is a self-report instrument used to evaluate positive changes arising from coping with adversity. The current study aimed to investigate the factor structure of the Brazilian version of the instrument (PTGI-Br). A total of 321 subjects, who had experienced a variety of adverse events, participated in the study. Five different factor structure models of the PTGI-Br were tested through the confirmatory factor analysis method. The conventional five-factor model (relating to others, new possibilities, personal strength, appreciation of life and spiritual change) showed better fit indexes when compared to the other models. The factor structure of five first order factors organized around a global hi-order factor was also adequate. The result replicates the PTGI original structure. In addition, it allows the five dimensions of the PTGI-Br, as well as the global higher order dimension, to be used in statistical analysis. (AU)

El Inventario de Crecimiento Postraumático (PTGI) es un instrumento de autoinforme que evalúa cambios positivos provenientes del enfrentamiento de situaciones adversas. El presente estudio investigó la estructura factorial de la versión brasileña del instrumento (PTGI-B). Participaron en la investigación 321 personas que pasaron por situaciones adversas variadas. A través del método de análisis factorial confirmatorio, se ha probado cinco diferentes modelos de estructura factorial. La estructura convencional de cinco factores fue la que mejor se adecuó a los datos. No obstante, la estructura jerárquica de cinco factores de primer orden organizados en torno a un factor general de segundo también presentó índices de ajuste adecuados. Los resultados replican la estructura factorial original del PTGI (relación con los otros, nuevas posibilidades, fuerza personal, apreciación por la vida y cambio espiritual). Además, los resultados indican que, los análisis con el PTGI-B, pueden ser realizados tanto considerando las subdimensiones del instrumento, como una dimensión general de crecimiento postraumático. (AU)

Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI): Adaptação e Validade Fatorial no Nordeste Brasileiro / Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI): Adaptation and Factorial Validity in the Brazilian Northeast / Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI): Adaptación y Validez Factorial en el Noreste de Brasil

O presente estudo objetivou verificar os parâmetros psicométricos do Posttraumatic Growth Inventory ­ PTGI, apresentando evidências de validade fatorial, consistência interna e etapas da sua adaptação transcultural. A amostra foi composta por 205 participantes, sua maioria do sexo feminino (59,03%), com idades variando entre 18 e 86 anos (M = 29,54; DP = 11,43). Estes responderam ao PTGI, Life Stressor Checklist ­ Revised e perguntas demográficas. Nas análises fatoriais confirmatórias, observa-se o modelo pentaforial como mais adequado para o PTGI, sendo estatisticamente superior ao tri e ao unifatorial. A consistência interna de seus fatores (alfa de Cronbach) variou de 0,70 a 0,86, com alfa geral de 0,92, valores considerados aceitáveis. Conclui-se que essa medida, apresentando evidências de validade de construto, pode ser usada adequadamente em pesquisas no contexto em que foi adaptada, entretanto, recomenda-se o uso do instrumento em amostras mais heterogêneas e a realização de outras análises, observando sua invariância fatorial.(AU)

This study aimed to verify the psychometric parameters of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory - PTGI, presenting evidence of factorial validity, internal consistency and steps of cross-cultural adaptation. The sample consisted of 205 participants from northeastern Brazilian cities, mostly female (59.03%), aged between 18 and 86 years (M = 29.5, SD = 11.4). Participants answered the PTGI, the Life Stressor Checklist ­ Revised, and demographic questions. The confirmatory factor analysis observed the penta-factorial model as more suitable for PTGI, being statistically superior to three and one-factor. The internal consistency of its factors (Cronbach's alpha) ranged from .70 to .86, with general alpha of .92, values considered acceptable. It follows that this measurement, providing evidence of construct validity, can be properly used in research in the context in which it was adapted to, however, we recommend the use of the instrument in more heterogeneous samples and conducting other analyzes, observing its factorial invariance.(AU)

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo verificar los parámetros psicométricos del Posttrumatic Growth Inventory ­ PTGI, presentando evidencias de validez factorial, consistencia interna y etapas de su adaptación transcultural. La muestra fue compuesta por 205 participantes, en su mayoría de sexo femenino (59,03%), con edades entre 18 y 86 años (M = 29.5; SD = 11.4). Ellos respondieron el PTGI, Life Stressor Checklist ­ Revised y preguntas demográficas. En los análisis factoriales confirmatorios se observa el modelo pentafactorial como el más adecuado para el PTGI, siendo estadísticamente superior al tri y al unifactorial.La consistencia interna de sus factores (alfa de Cronbach) varió de 0,70 a 0,86,con alfa general 0,92, valores considerados aceptables. Esta medida, por presentar evidencias de validez de constructo, puede ser utilizada adecuadamente en investigaciones en el contexto en que fue adaptada, sin embargo, se recomienda el uso del instrumento en muestras más heterogéneas y la realización de otros análisis, observando su invariancia factorial.(AU)

Evaluation of a modified version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form.

BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic growth is the positive change resulting from traumatic experiences and is typically assessed with retrospective measures like the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). The PTGI was designed to include reference to a specific traumatic event, making it difficult to implement, without change, in prospective survey studies. Thus, a modified Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form (PTGI-SF) was included in a large prospective study of current and former U.S. military personnel. The current study provides preliminary psychometric data for this modified measure and its ability to assess psychological well-being at a single time point. METHODS: The study population (N = 135,843) was randomly and equally split into exploratory and confirmatory samples that were proportionately balanced on trauma criterion. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed to assess the psychometric validity of the modified measure. The final model was also assessed in a subset of the confirmatory sample with a history of trauma using CFA. RESULTS: Results supported a single-factor model with two additional correlations between items assessing spirituality and items assessing compassion/appreciation for others. This model also fits among the subset with a history of trauma. The resulting measure was strongly associated with social support and personal mastery. CONCLUSIONS: The modified PTGI-SF in this study captures psychological well-being in cross-sectional assessments, in addition to being able to measure posttraumatic growth with multiple assessments. Results indicate that the modified measure is represented by a single factor, but that items assessing spirituality and compassion/appreciation for others may be used alone to better capture these constructs.

Posttraumatic growth inventory: factor structure in Spanish-speaking people living with HIV.

This cross-sectional study analyzed the factorial structure of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) in a sample of 304 Spanish-speaking HIV-positive adults. Participants completed the PTGI and a socio-demographic questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was carried out through structural equations modeling, with a Varimax rotation. Factors with eigenvalues greater than 1 were extracted, and items with loadings higher than .5 on a factor and lower than .4 on the rest were retained. Two confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed to test a hierarchical model and a bifactor model. Reliability analyses were conducted. EFA suggested a three-factor model keeping 11 of the original 21 items. The three factors that emerged were changes in philosophy of life, in the self and in interpersonal relationships. CFAs suggested that only the bifactor model fitted the data. The three factors as well as the global scale showed good reliability. The factor structure of PTGI's scores in our data is consistent with the three dimensions theorized by Tedeschi and Calhoun, which speaks in favor of the construct validity of this measure.

The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory: Factor Structure and Invariance in a Sample of Breast Cancer Patients and in a Non-Clinical Sample.

The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) is frequently used to assess positive changes following a traumatic event. The aim of the study is to examine the factor structure and the latent mean invariance of PTGI. A sample of 205 (M age = 54.3, SD = 10.1) women diagnosed with breast cancer and 456 (M age = 34.9, SD = 12.5) adults who had experienced a range of adverse life events were recruited to complete the PTGI and a socio-demographic questionnaire. We use Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to test the factor-structure and multi-sample CFA to examine the invariance of the PTGI between the two groups. The goodness of fit for the five-factor model is satisfactory for breast cancer sample (χ2(175) = 396.265; CFI = .884; NIF = .813; RMSEA [90% CI] = .079 [.068, .089]), and good for non-clinical sample (χ2(172) = 574.329; CFI = .931; NIF = .905; RMSEA [90% CI] = .072 [.065, .078]). The results of multi-sample CFA show that the model fit indices of the unconstrained model are equal but the model that uses constrained factor loadings is not invariant across groups. The findings provide support for the original five-factor structure and for the multidimensional nature of posttraumatic growth (PTG). Regarding invariance between both samples, the factor structure of PTGI and other parameters (i.e., factor loadings, variances, and co-variances) are not invariant across the sample of breast cancer patients and the non-clinical sample.

Evaluation of the posttraumatic growth inventory after severe burn injury in Western Australia: clinical implications for use.

PURPOSE: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is "the subjective experience of positive psychological change reported as a result of the struggle with trauma". Very few studies have explored PTG after burn injury. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) is a 21-item questionnaire which assesses five domains in which PTG has been found. First, the aim of this study was to assess how PTG presented after a severe burn, and second, whether it could be measured by the PTGI in Australian burn survivors. METHODS: A mixed method approach was used. Seventeen patients who had a severe burn injury at least 2 years previously were interviewed and completed the PTGI. The interviews were analyzed, then compared to the PTGI responses. RESULTS: PTG in burn survivors had similarities to PTG arising from other trauma. Burn-specific context such as heat intolerance and functional problems influenced the type of changes made. Barriers to PTG in relationships were related to guilt burden and visible scarring. CONCLUSION: PTG presents similarly after burn to other trauma types, but has other features to consider when devising intervention strategies. The PTGI is a 5-min screening tool that adequately identifies the presence or absence of PTG in burn survivors in Western Australia, and can guide intervention. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory is a 5-min screening tool that adequately identifies the degree of PTG in burn survivors in Western Australia. It is a quick and easy tool to use to identify the need for clinical intervention. It will also evaluate the effectiveness of strategies designed to target PTG. A mean score of 2.5 can be used as a threshold to guide intervention strategy.

Existence of benefit finding and posttraumatic growth in people treated for head and neck cancer: a systematic review.

Background. The impact of head and neck cancer (HNC) in long-term survivors differs widely among individuals, and a significant number of them suffer from the negative effects of disease, whereas others report significant positive effect. This systematic review investigated the evidence the implications of treatment for HNC and subsequent development of Benefit Finding (BF) or Posttraumatic Growth (PTG). Purpose. To understand how differing medical, psychological and social characteristics of HNC may lead to BF/PTG and subsequently inform post-treatment interventions to encourage positive outcomes. Method. In February 2012, five databases including Pubmed, and Psych Info, were searched, for peer-reviewed English-language publications. Search strings included key words pertaining to HNC, BF, and PTG. One thousand three hundred and sixty three publications were identified, reviewed, and reduced following Cochrane guidelines and inclusion/exclusion criteria specified by a group of maxillofacial consultants and psychologists. Publications were then quality assessed using the CASP Cohort Critical Appraisal tool. Findings. Five manuscripts met the search and selection criteria, and were sourced for review. All studies were identified as being level IIb evidence which is a medium level of quality. The majority of studies investigated benefit finding (80%) and were split between recruiting participant via cancer clinics and postal survey. They focused on the medical, psychological and social characteristics of the patient following completion of treatment for HNC. Conclusion. Demographic factors across the papers showed similar patterns of relationships across BF and PTG; that higher education/qualification and cohabitation/marriage are associated with increased BF/PTG. Similarly, overlap with disease characteristics and psychosocial factors where hope and optimism were both positively correlated with increased reported BF/PTG.

A bifactor model of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory.

Purpose: The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) is a self-administered measurement instrument designed to provide information concerning positive psychological changes after a traumatic life event. The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the PTGI in a Hungarian sample. By examining a bifactor model of the instrument, we also wanted to contribute to the establishment of an evidence-based practice concerning the use of different score types (total score versus subscale scores). Methods: Altogether, 691 Hungarian respondents (82.2% female; Mage = 33.0 ± 13.4 years), who experienced some kind of trauma or loss, participated in this study. Results: A series of confirmatory factor analyses revealed that among the tested first- and second-order models, a bifactor model provided the best-fit to our data (χ2/df = 4.32, Comparative Fit Index = .91, root mean square error of approximation = .07, standardized root mean square residual = .04). Further, the Hungarian version of the PTGI showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .93, omega total = .95, omega hierarchical = .87) and test-retest reliability (r = .90; p < .01) coefficients. However, omega hierarchical coefficients (.14-.40) and explained variance values (.05-.10) for the subscales were low. Conclusions: The present study provided empirical support for the psychometric adequacy of the Hungarian adaptation of the PTGI and suggests that only the total and not the subscale scores of the inventory should be used.