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

Abstract

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.

Relationships between satisfaction with life, posttraumatic growth, coping strategies, and resilience in cancer survivors: A network analysis approach

“…The descriptive characteristics of the scales including their reliability and comparison of the scores with the general Slovak population (the data were obtained from 33 ), is available in Table 2. A bivariate as well as a partial correlation matrix of the items/scales can be found in the supplementary materials at https://osf.io/hfmaz/.…”

Post‐traumatic growth among pediatric transplant recipients and their caregivers: A scoping review

“…Five of the included studies assessed PTG with the PTGI, which is the most frequently used PTG assessment instrument 30 . The PTGI is a 21‐item scale consisting of five factors; new possibilities, relating to others, personal strength, spiritual change, and appreciation for life 5 .…”

“…Participants respond on a six point Likert scale regarding the degree to which the change described in each item occurred anytime in their life as a result of their crisis ranging from “I did not experience this change as a result of my crisis” to “I experienced this change to a very great degree as a result of my crisis.” 5 Psychometric properties of the PTGI are mixed; on one hand, researchers have reported good internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and construct validity of the factor structure, 5,31 while other researchers have found high intercorrelations between the factors and mediocre fit statistics of the five factor model 32 . The five factors of the PTGI are generally supported; 31,32 however, several studies have found a best fit model using alternative factor structures 30 …”

“…Five of the included studies assessed PTG with the PTGI, which is the most frequently used PTG assessment instrument. 30 The PTGI is a 21-item scale consisting of five factors; new possibilities, relating to others, personal strength, spiritual change, and appreciation for life. 5 Participants respond on a six point Likert scale regarding the degree to which the change described in each item occurred anytime in their life as a result of their crisis ranging from "I did not experience this change as a result of my crisis" to "I experienced this change to a very great degree as a result of my crisis."…”

“…32 The five factors of the PTGI are generally supported; 31,32 however, several studies have found a best fit model using alternative factor structures. 30…”