The development and psychometric validation of the Postpartum Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PP-PTGI)

Background: The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) is widely used across various trauma-affected populations. However, no version specifically targets the maternal population, limiting its ability to fully capture the unique characteristics of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in this group. To address this gap, the present study aimed to develop the Postpartum Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PP-PTGI) and evaluate its psychometric properties, guided by PTG theory. Methods: A total of 3 separate studies contributed to the development of the PP-PTGI scale between July 2023 and May 2024. In study 1, a preliminary item pool was developed on the basis of PTG theoretical framework, and a Delphi expert letter consultation (N=17) was conducted to modify and improve the items, and a preliminary PP-PTGI scale with 33 items was obtained. Study 2 involved item analysis and exploratory factor analysis (N=211) to screen the items. In Study 3, confirmatory factor analysis, criterion-related validity, and reliability analysis (N=202) were performed to assess the reliability and validity of the final scale. Results: The PP-PTGI comprises 26 items across six dimensions. The scale demonstrated good reliability, with a total Cronbach’s α of 0.901 and subscale α values ranging from 0.832 to 0.883, indicating high internal consistency. It also showed good content validity, structural validity, and criterion-related validity, supporting its applicability in assessing posttraumatic growth among women with birth-related trauma. Conclusions: The PP-PTGI is a reliable and valid tool for measuring posttraumatic growth in postpartum women. Its use can support healthcare professionals in better understanding the psychological recovery of women following birth trauma, and in delivering more targeted and effective care to promote their posttraumatic growth.