Factorial Structure of a European Spanish Version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI)

Abstract

The PTGI attempts to evaluate the perceived positive changes following a vital crisis. In the original study 5 factors emerged. However many studies failed to replicate this factorial model having been found 1, 2, 3 and 4 factors. Our aim was to analyse the structure of the PTGI and to contrast previous models in a sample of parents after having a child admitted on a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). A total of 130 parents responded the PTGI 6 months after their child’s discharge from PICU. We have used the factor analysis of principal components, and an analysis with the structural equations model to contrast the factorial structure. Also, we did ANOVAS to study the influence of demographic and medical variables. Through the principal component analysis, we found 3 factors that explain 67,99% of the variance. Using confirmatory analysis of this model, we found an acceptable adjustment (X2/df = 2,2; GFI=0,86; CFI=0,92; RMSEA=0,09). We called the first factor personal growth, the second interpersonal growth and the third transpersonal growth. None of the other previous models had a better adjustment. We found statistical difference in posttraumatic growth by gender, spiritual beliefs, illness severity and length of the admission. Using the European Spanish PTGI in parents after a child’s PICU admission, 3 dimensions of growth emerged. This suggests the need to assess these dimensions after crisis.