OVERVIEW:
(Have a pen and a scratch sheet of paper next to your computer for determining your scores from this test.)
The after-effects of trauma are not entirely negative! over the course of recovery a person may experience life areas of positive psychological growth! I found the questionnaire presented below in the literature - with no notations as to the person or persons who designed it. I have modified it for my web page, making it easier to complete and score.
If the authors ever discover their work on this site, please send me your names and affiliations so I may give you proper credit.
A POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH QUESTIONNAIRE
FIVE ASPECTS OF LIVING can show positive growth following major life traumas. Some changes occur over the first weeks following the trauma while other changes take place months to even years, later.
Examples of major life traumas include:
Death of a loved one
An acute or a chronic illness
Violent physical and/or psychological abuse
A major injury
Job loss
Financial hardship
Divorce
Retirement
Combat
FIVE ASPECTS OF LIVING are assessed by answering 25 questions in the 5 categories listed below.
Relationships to Others (7 questions)
New Life Possibilities (6 questions)
Growth in Personal Strengths (5 questions)
Spiritual Change (3 questions)
Appreciation of Life (4 questions)
When taking the test below, score each question from 0 to 4 according to the following:
No change occurred following my crisis = 0
A small change was experienced = 1
A moderate change happened = 2
A great change occurred = 3
A very great change happened = 4
ARE YOU READY TO TAKE THE TEST? Determine your 1 to 5 score for each of the 20 questions below.
1. I changed my priorities about what is important in life. ( )
2. I have greater appreciation for the value of my own life. ( )
3. I have developed new interests. ( )
4. I have a greater feeling of self-reliance. ( )
5. I have a more supportive understanding of spiritual matters. ( )
6. I see that I can count on other people in times of trouble. ( )
7. I have established new paths for my life. ( )
8. I have a greater sense of closeness with others. ( )
9. I am better able to express my emotions. ( )
10. I now know I can handle difficult life situations. ( )
11. I believe that I can do better things with my life. ( )
12. I can now better accept the way things work out. ( )
13. I now have a heightened appreciation for each day. ( )
14. New opportunities have opened up for me. ( )
15. I have more compassion now for others. ( )
16. I am putting more effort into my relationships. ( )
17. I have a stronger religious faith. ( )
18. I have discovered that I am stronger than I thought I was. ( )
19. I am better at accepting the needs of others. ( )
20. I am more likely to change things in my life that need changing. ( )
21. I am more inclined to be of service to others. ( )
22. My prayers and meditations are more meaningful to me. ( )
23. I feel a stronger loyalty and love for my country. ( )
24. I have a greater appreciation of the importance of mercy and forgiveness. ( )
25. My personal relationships have become stronger. ( )
CALCULATE YOUR TOTAL SCORES FOR THE FOLLOWING:
Relationships to Others: Your total score for questions: 6, 8, 9, 15, 16, 20, & 25 = __________ (28)
New Life Possibilities: Your total score for questions: 3, 7, 11, 14, 17, & 21 = __________ (24)
Personal Strength Growth: Your total score for questions: 4, 10, 12, 19, & 24 = __________ (20)
Spiritual Change: Your total score for questions: 5, 18, & 22 = __________ (12)
Appreciation of Life: Your total score for questions: 1, 2, 13, & 23 = __________ (16)
Your TOTAL PERSONAL SCORE is the sum of all your points for THE FIVE ASPECTS OF LIVING : ___________ (As the total possible score is 100, your total score is also your percentage of this total.)
RESULTS: From your total points for each of the FIVE AREAS OF LIVING, and for your TOTAL CHANGE SCORE, calculate the percentages your total points comprised of the maximal scores shown in parentheses.
INTERPRETATIONS:
A personal score from 30% to 50 % of the maximal score for an AREA of LIVING is COMMENDABLE.
A personal score from 51% to 70 % of the maximal score for an AREA OF LIVING is VERY COMMENDABLE.
A personal score greater than 70% of a maximal tota for an AREA OF LIVING is HIGHLY COMMENDABLE.
A TOTAL PERSONAL SCORE 50% or greater than the TOTAL MAXIMAL SCORE is also HIGHLY COMMENDABLE.
WAS THIS EXERCISE HELPFUL? (Send me your feedback by email.)
Best regards,
Richard H. Rahe, M.D. (richard@drrahe.com)
