Psychometric properties of the Arabic translation of the PTGI-SF 10-item scale in adolescents.
The Arabic PTGI-SF scale is a reliable tool for assessing post-traumatic growth in Lebanese adolescents, showing adequate psychometric properties.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the elamipretide corpusSummary and findings
This study assessed the psychometric properties of an Arabic version of the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory Short Form (PTGI-SF) among 605 Lebanese adolescents aged 15-18 years. The findings indicated adequate reliability and validity of the scale, with a composite reliability of ω = 0.73/α = 0.73. The study also reported correlations between post-traumatic growth, wellbeing, anxiety, and depression.
Abstract
<h4>Background</h4>Trauma has been traditionally associated with debilitating mental and physical ailments, yet more recently, it is also investigated in relationship to growth, if enough resources are made available. The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) has been developed as a brief and reliable instrument to measure post-traumatic growth (PTG). The inventory's reliability and cultural validity remain understudied, especially in trauma-exposed Levantine countries. In this study, we aimed to assess the psychometric properties of an Arabic version of the PTGI scale among Lebanese adolescents.<h4>Methods</h4>This cross-sectional study involved 605 Lebanese school students aged 15-18 years (mean age: 16.34 ± 1.18 years; 55.4% females). Participants were assessed using PTGI-SF (PTG), PHQ-9 (depression), GAD-7 (anxiety), and WHO-5 (wellbeing) Arabic questionnaires at two time points, three months apart.<h4>Results</h4>The 10 items of the PTGI-SF converged into a single factor. Composite reliability of scores was adequate in the total sample (ω = 0.73/α = 0.73). All indices supported/provided evidence of gender invariance at the configural, metric, and scalar levels, with females and males having similar growth scores. The pre-post test assessment for the PTGI-SF scale had an adequate intraclass correlation coefficient. In our sample, PTG was positively correlated with higher wellbeing as well as lower anxiety and depression.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The Arabic PTGI-SF among Lebanese adolescents is a robust reliable and valid scale to assess growth post-trauma, with highly satisfactory psychometric properties. It could be used to monitor trauma impact in this vulnerable age group and longitudinal follow-up of potential interventions aiming to further facilitate growth, promote wellbeing and buffer psychopathology in adolescents.
Background
This paper addresses the psychometric evaluation of the Arabic translation of the PTGI-SF scale, which measures post-traumatic growth (PTG) in adolescents. Prior research has indicated that trauma can lead to both negative and positive psychological outcomes, but the measurement of PTG in specific cultural contexts remains underexplored. This study is significant as it seeks to validate a tool for assessing PTG among Lebanese adolescents, a population that may experience unique trauma-related challenges.
Methods
This cross-sectional study involved 605 Lebanese school students aged 15-18 years, with a mean age of 16.34 ± 1.18 years, and included 55.4% females. Participants were assessed using the PTGI-SF, PHQ-9, GAD-7, and WHO-5 Arabic questionnaires at two time points, three months apart. The primary outcome measure was the reliability and validity of the PTGI-SF scale.
Results
The primary endpoint indicated that the composite reliability of the PTGI-SF scores was adequate, with ω = 0.73/α = 0.73. The study also found that PTG was positively correlated with higher wellbeing and negatively correlated with anxiety and depression. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the pre-post test assessment was reported as adequate, although specific values were not provided.
Interpretation
The findings suggest that the Arabic version of the PTGI-SF scale is a reliable and valid measure for assessing post-traumatic growth in Lebanese adolescents. While the statistical significance of the findings is noted, the clinical significance of the correlations between PTG, wellbeing, anxiety, and depression requires further exploration. Limitations such as cultural specificity and reliance on self-reporting may affect the generalizability of the results.
Key findings
- 605 Lebanese school students aged 15-18 years, mean age: 16.34 ± 1.18 years, 55.4% females.
- Composite reliability of scores was adequate (ω = 0.73/α = 0.73).
- PTG was positively correlated with higher wellbeing and lower anxiety and depression.
- The pre-post test assessment for the PTGI-SF scale had an adequate intraclass correlation coefficient.
- All indices supported evidence of gender invariance at the configural, metric, and scalar levels.
Limitations
- Limited to Lebanese adolescents, affecting generalizability.
- Reliance on self-reported measures may introduce bias.
- Cross-sectional design does not allow for causal inferences.
- No long-term follow-up to assess durability of findings.