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

TY - JOUR

T1 - Exploratory factor analysis of the post-traumatic growth inventory among individuals in recovery from addiction

AU - Chambers, Sophia

AU - Toner, Paul

AU - Brignell, Catherine

PY - 2025/10

Y1 - 2025/10

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - addiction

KW - factor analysis

KW - Posttraumatic growth

KW - psychometrics

KW - recovery

KW - validity

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105001043645

U2 - 10.1080/16066359.2025.2475294

DO - 10.1080/16066359.2025.2475294

M3 - Article

SN - 1606-6359

VL - 33

SP - 459

EP - 468

JO - Addiction Research and Theory

JF - Addiction Research and Theory

IS - 5

ER -