Encouraging inflated reports of posttraumatic growth: the presence of a wording effect on self-reports of posttraumatic growth

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives Posttraumatic growth (PTG) refers to positive psychological changes that result from a traumatic experience. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and the Stress-Related Growth Scale (SRGS) are the two most commonly used measures of PTG. One criticism of these measures is that all their items are positively worded (for example, “I have a greater feeling of self-reliance”). Design and Methods In the current paper, we conducted two studies that examined a possible wording effect in these two measures. Results In Study 1, we found that positively worded items on the PTGI are positively correlated with the negatively worded version of the same items. Additionally, the positively and negatively worded versions of these items formed two separate factors, further suggesting a wording effect. In Study 2, we conducted an experimental design by comparing self-reports of PTG when randomly assigned to complete either positively- or neutrally worded versions of the items. We found that participants reported 27% less PTG when given neutrally worded items. Conclusions The combined results strongly suggest a wording effect that encourages overreporting of self-reports of PTG.