Preliminary study of adaptation and validation of the Inventory of Positive Psychotherapy for a Portuguese population's sample

Background and Aim: Positive psychotherapy is conceptually based on the scientific study of positive emotions, positive individual traits, and strengths. The goal is to help people learn that they can grow due to their experiences, even if the experience is traumatic. It is a psychotherapeutic method that focuses on building positive emotions, strengths, and meaning in individuals' lives to decrease and prevent psychopathology and promote happiness. As an assessment tool, the Positive Psychotherapy Inventory (PPTI) offers mental health professionals the opportunity to see the therapeutic process's results. The present study's objective is to know the psychometric qualities of the PPTI in a Portuguese sample. Method: This is a methodological study of an exploratory and descriptive character, which aims at translation-retroversion and analysis of psychometric properties (fidelity and validity) using the administration of the PPTI, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales - 21 items, and Mental Health Continuum - Short Form. The sample consisted of 247 participants between 18 and 69 years old. Results: The translated and adapted version of the scale met the criteria of semantic equivalence and had a high level of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.97), high values of correlation between forms (r = 0.92), as well as a high correlation of the item with the test total. The inventory consisted of 25 items and was explained by three factors, meeting the convergent and divergent validity criteria. Conclusions: The preliminary PPTI study showed good psychometric qualities. It is suggested enlarging the sample to support the results obtained.