Measuring psychological change after trauma: Psychometric properties of a new bi-directional scale.

Abstract

The posttraumatic change scale (PTCS) demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties and captured the range from negative to positive posttraumatic changes after major stress. Contrary to several previous studies, positive posttraumatic change, as measured by the PTCS, was not associated with increased symptoms of psychopathology. This underscores the heterogeneity of psychological responses to traumatic events. (PsycINFO Database Record

Danger- and non-danger-based stressors and their relations to posttraumatic deprecation or growth in Norwegian veterans deployed to Afghanistan

“…It has been proposed that this may produce a major response bias toward reports of illusory changes (Park & Helgeson, 2006). In recent advances, however, both negative, positive or no change can be reported on each item (Marshall, Frazier, Frankfurt, & Kuijer, 2015;Nordstrand, Hjemdal, Holen, Reichelt, & Bøe, 2017). When using this format, positive developments have been found to correlate negatively with psychological distress (Nordstrand et al, 2017).…”

“…In recent advances, however, both negative, positive or no change can be reported on each item (Marshall, Frazier, Frankfurt, & Kuijer, 2015;Nordstrand, Hjemdal, Holen, Reichelt, & Bøe, 2017). When using this format, positive developments have been found to correlate negatively with psychological distress (Nordstrand et al, 2017). Negative developments represent posttraumatic deprecation, increased distress and even other kinds of psychopathology, while positive posttraumatic development imply growth (PTG) unlinked to psychopathology and distress (Livneh, McMahon, & Rumrill, 2018).…”

“…The Awareness sub-dimension relates to appreciation of life and inner values, while the Social Adaptability sub-dimension relates to social strategies and function. All four sub-dimensions have demonstrated a good model fit and satisfying psychometric properties (Nordstrand et al, 2017). The associations between group placement and personal changes on the four PTCS sub-dimensions scores were explored.…”

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) and posttraumatic depreciation (PTD) across ten countries: Global validation of the PTG-PTD theoretical model

“…Several studies have also attempted to capture PTG and the corresponding negative changes by applying a single dimension ranging from "much worse or less than before" to "much better or more than before", while placing no change or "same as before" in the middle, assuming that people should experience either positive or negative changes as a result of a trauma (e.g., Nordstrand et al, 2017). However, it is important to allow study participants to report positive and negative changes that may happen concurrently, because studies that examined PTG and PTD generally support the independent nature of these two constructs (Barrington & Shakespeare-Finch, 2013).…”

The meaning of service questionnaire and its association with psychological growth among Veterans

“…The PTGI-SF covers five subscales: 1 The participants rated their responses on a 6-point Likert scale from 0 (no change) to 5 (change to a very great degree). Then, we applied the posttraumatic change scale (PTCS) that was developed by Nordstrand et al (2017). The 26-item questionnaire measures both positive and negative changes across four subscales: (1) Self-confidence, (2) Interpersonal involvement, (3) Awareness, and (4) Social adaptability.…”