Relationships Between Latent Factors of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Growth.

In the present study, we examined posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and posttraumatic growth (PTG) responses among a nonclinical sample of 202 participants. Instruments included the PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5 (fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated the most support for the 6-factor DSM-5 PTSD model and 5-factor PTG model, previously supported in the literature. Canonical correlation analysis evidenced a strong relationship between PTSD and PTG subscales. Path analysis results demonstrated that PTSD's re-experiencing subscale was related to PTG's appreciation for life subscale. Posttraumatic stress disorder's avoidance was related to PTG's personal strength subscale. We also tested curvilinear relationships between PTSD and PTG subscales. Results and implications are discussed in the context of the constructs of PTSD and PTG.