A bifactor model of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory

Purpose: The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) is a self-administered measurement instrument designed to provide information concerning positive psychological changes after a traumatic life event. The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the PTGI in a Hungarian sample. By examining a bifactor model of the instrument, we also wanted to contribute to the establishment of an evidence-based practice concerning the use of different score types (total score versus subscale scores). Methods: Altogether, 691 Hungarian respondents (82.2% female; M_age = 33.0 ± 13.4 years), who experienced some kind of trauma or loss, participated in this study. Results: A series of confirmatory factor analyses revealed that among the tested first- and second-order models, a bifactor model provided the best-fit to our data (χ²/df = 4.32, Comparative Fit Index = .91, root mean square error of approximation = .07, standardized root mean square residual = .04). Further, the Hungarian version of the PTGI showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .93, omega total = .95, omega hierarchical = .87) and test-retest reliability (r = .90; p < .01) coefficients. However, omega hierarchical coefficients (.14-.40) and explained variance values (.05-.10) for the subscales were low. Conclusions: The present study provided empirical support for the psychometric adequacy of the Hungarian adaptation of the PTGI and suggests that only the total and not the subscale scores of the inventory should be used.