Ukrainian-Language Version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-UA): Adaptation and Psychometric Validation

Abstract

Objective.  The aim of this study was to adapt the original Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996) for the Ukrainian-speaking  and to develop its Ukrainian version—the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory–Ukrainian (PTGI-UA)—for practical application in psychological work with military personnel, veterans, and individuals with combat experience. Methods. The study involved a full translation and cultural adaptation of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory into Ukrainian, followed by an evaluation of its psychometric properties. The translation process included standard forward- and back-translation procedures. The study sample consisted of 508 male military personnel. The initial sample also included female participants (n = 27); however, due to substantial gender imbalance and in order to ensure the validity of statistical analyses, data from female participants were excluded from further analyses. Statistical procedures included descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), assessment of internal consistency, evaluation of convergent and discriminant validity, and testing of measurement invariance.

Results. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the hierarchical structure of the Ukrainian version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-UA). In this model, posttraumatic growth was represented as a second-order latent factor encompassing five first-order factors: personal strength, new possibilities, improved relationships, spiritual growth, and appreciation of life. Model fit indices indicated a high level of correspondence between the theoretical model and the empirical data (CFI = 0.997, TLI = 0.996, SRMR = 0.041, RMSEA = 0.053). Conclusion. The Ukrainian version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-UA) meets established criteria for reliability and validity and can be recommended for use among Ukrainian-speaking military personnel and veterans in both clinical practice and research settings. Further validation is advised for other populations.