title: Posttraumatic Growth Inventory: Factor Structure in the Context of DSM-IV Traumatic Events.
abstract: Studies examining the dimensionality of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) have yielded varying results. To date, no study has investigated the measure's factor structure in the context of DSM-defined traumatic events. The present study examined the structure in an undergraduate student sample (N = 379) reporting DSM-IV Criterion-A potentially traumatic events. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) did not support the original five-factor structure. Follow-up exploratory factor analysis and CFA on random halves of the sample showed poor model fit for 1-, 3-, and 7-factor models. Results suggest that the PTGI factor structure is unclear amongst individuals with DSM-IV traumatic events, and continued use of the total score is most appropriate. Future directions including the utility of the PTGI factors are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, 211 North Grand Boulevard, Shannon Hall, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA ; Center for Health Quality, Outcomes & Economic Research (CHQOER), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, 200 Springs Road (152), Bedford, MA 01730, USA.
authors.forename: Princess E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Osei-Bonsu
authors.forename: Terri L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: Susan V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Eisen
authors.forename: Jillon S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Vander Wal