Brief Description
The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) is a self-report measure designed to assess the positive psychological changes that individuals may experience following a traumatic event. Developed by Tedeschi and Calhoun in 1996, the PTGI consists of 21 items that evaluate areas of growth and change such as personal strength, appreciation of life, new possibilities, improved relationships, and spiritual change. The PTGI asks respondents to rate their experience of change and growth (e.g., I have a greater appreciation for the value of my own life.). Responses range from 0 ("I did not experience this change as a result of my crisis") to 5 ("I experienced this change to a very great degree as a result of my crisis"). The PTGI is widely used in both clinical and research settings to explore the extent to which individuals perceive growth after trauma and to inform interventions that support positive outcomes.
Assessment Administration Type
Self-report
Number of questions
21
Age Range for Administration
18+
Recommended Frequency of Administration
No recommended standard frequency; Blueprint recommends every 3 months.
Summary of Scoring and Interpretations
Responses are provided using a 6-point Likert scale with scores that range from 0 to 5. Scoring the PTGI involves summing the responses to all 21 items, with the total score ranging from 0 to 105. A high total score suggests that the person has experienced positive transformation following their traumatic experience(s), but examining the scores of each subscale more closely can offer deeper insight into which areas have changed significantly and which aspects may still need further development. The inventory’s five subscales correspond to the domains of growth: Relating to Others, New Possibilities, Personal Strength, Spiritual Change, and Appreciation of Life. Each subscale score is obtained by averaging the summed total of the section’s relevant items. The items relevant to each subscale are as follows:
Subscale | Items |
Relating to Others | 6, 8, 9, 15, 16, 20, 21 |
New Possibilities | 3, 7, 11, 14, 17 |
Personal Strength | 4, 10, 12, 19 |
Spiritual Change | 5, 18 |
Appreciation of Life | 1, 2, 13 |
While there are no cut-off scores, higher scores suggest that the individual perceives significant positive changes following their traumatic experience.
Blueprint Adjustments
N/A
Clinical Considerations
Estimated time for completion: 5-7 minutes
Clinicians should be aware of the specific trauma experiences of individuals, as the nature and severity of trauma can influence growth outcomes.
Different cultures may have varying beliefs about trauma and growth. It's essential to interpret PTGI results within the cultural context of the individual.
The timing of the assessment can impact the results. Early assessments might focus more on distress, while later assessments might reveal growth.
Use the PTGI alongside other measures of psychological distress or well-being to get a comprehensive understanding of the individual's experience.
The PTGI can be useful in therapy to facilitate discussions about personal growth and coping strategies, but it should not replace a focus on addressing trauma-related symptoms.
Citation
Relevant Articles + Further Resources
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