Personal Growth in Mothers: Examination of the Suitability of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory as a Measurement Tool

Abstract

The validity of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory for the experience of motherhood was examined in three separate studies, conducted in Israel between 2008 and 2010. Study 1 (n=150) compared the answers of new first-time mothers to an open-ended question regarding changes following childbirth with the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory dimensions. Study 2 replicated this procedure using a more diverse sample (n=157) to confirm the usefulness of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory among various sub-groups of mothers (first-time and non-first-time mothers, mothers of twins and singletons, mothers of pre-term and full-term infants). Study 3 (n=152 mothers and their own mothers) sought to corroborate mothers' scores on the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory by means of their own mothers' reports of their daughters' growth following childbirth. This study also examined the applicability of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory's five factor structure-new possibilities, relating to others, personal strength, spiritual change, and appreciation of life-to the population of mothers. The findings indicated that the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory is indeed an effective instrument for the measurement of mothers' perceived positive changes following childbirth, and can be used for this purpose at least for several years after the birth.