Exploratory factor analysis of the post-traumatic growth inventory among individuals in recovery from addiction

Abstract

Background: The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) is a widely used measure of psychological growth following adversity, although not yet validated for use with those in recovery from substance addiction. The present study was designed to explore the latent structure, reliability, and validity of the inventory in this new population. Method: The PTGI was completed by 485 adults (71.8% female) in recovery from addiction. Exploratory Factor Analysis, supported by parallel analysis, was used to explore the latent structure of the PTGI. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients and item-total correlations were calculated to assess internal reliability of the PTGI. Concurrent and convergent validity were also examined by the relationship between the PTGI and measures of growth, social support and rumination. Results: Analysis supported a two-factor structure including 18-items, explaining 60.28% of the common variance. The two subscales appeared to capture 1) intrapersonal growth and 2) interpersonal growth (including relationship with God). A strong positive correlation between the subscales in the two-factor solution, and the presence of a single-factor solution explaining 52.31% of the variance, also suggest the presence of a single latent ‘growth’ construct. All scales demonstrated excellent reliability, and concurrent and convergent validity. Conclusions: This study supports the reliability and validity of the PTGI for use with those in addiction recovery. Evidence suggests psychological growth in this population can be experienced intra- and inter-personally, but likely has an underlying core.