The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory: an examination of the factor structure and invariance among breast cancer survivors.
OBJECTIVE
The present study tested the proposed five-factor structure and invariance of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996) in a sample of physically active breast cancer survivors.


METHODS
A sample of breast cancer survivors (N=470, Mage=57.3, SD=7.8 years) completed the PTGI and a demographic questionnaire. The factor structure, factorial invariance, and latent mean invariance were tested using maximum likelihood structural equation modeling.


RESULTS
Preliminary analyses showed acceptable reliability for the PTGI subscales (alpha<0.83). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the five related factors corresponding to: relating to others, new possibilities, personal strength, spiritual change, and appreciation of life (chi(2) (179)=822.53, CFI=0.97, NNFI=0.96, SRMR=0.05, RMSEA=0.09). Multigroup CFA supported the invariance of the PTGI across age groups, treatment type, time since diagnosis, and time since last treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide support for (1) the multidimensional nature and factorial validity of the PTGI, and (2) the use of the PTGI in future research examining posttraumatic growth within samples of physically active breast cancer survivors.
Brunet
Jennifer
J
McGill University, Kinesiology and Physical Education, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
McDonough
Meghan H
MH
Hadd
Valerie
V
Crocker
Peter R E
PR
Sabiston
Catherine M
CM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011792:Quebec; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D029181:Spirituality; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*