Psychometric properties of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) in a non-clinical population in Sweden

• Published in: Health and quality of life outcomes 2020-05, Vol.18 (1), p.132-132, Article 132
• Main Authors: Velickovic, Katarina, Rahm Hallberg, Ingalill, Axelsson, Ulrika, Borrebaeck, Carl A K, Rydén, Lisa, Johnsson, Per, Månsson, Johanna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation; Cancer; CD-RISC; Construct validity; Context; Data collection; DERS-16; Discriminant validity; Emotion regulation; Emotions; Evaluation; Factor analysis; Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi; Health Sciences; Health-related quality of life; Hälsovetenskap; Medical and Health Sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Mental health; Mental health surveys; Older people; Population; Predictive validity; Psychological research; Psychological resilience; Psychometrics; Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology; Quality of life; Quantitative psychology; Regression analysis; Reliability analysis; Reliability aspects; Reliability engineering; Resilience; Resilience (Personality trait); SF-12; Spirituality; Stress; Structural reliability; Surveys; Validation studies; Validity
• ISSN: 1477-7525; 1477-7525
• DOI: 10.1186/s12955-020-01383-3

The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) is the most widely used scale which assesses psychological resilience. Although it is recommended to be applied as a unidimensional scale, its factor structure, reliability, as well as discriminant and predictive validity need to be assessed when used in a new context. Moreover, the original five-factor structure has not been replicated in previous investigations. This study aimed to explore psychometric properties of the scale in a Swedish context. Construct validity of the five-factor model of CD-RISC was assessed using Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses. Its discriminant validity was assessed in relation to a measure of emotion regulation (Brief Version of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale) using a Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Predictive validity of CD-RISC was assessed in relation to measures of physical and mental health-related quality of life (The 12-Item Short Form Survey) using hierarchical multiple regression analyses. A population based sample cohort was employed (N = 2599). Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses suggested a 22-item unidimensional model of CD-RISC. Psychological resilience was found to be independent from the measure of emotion regulation. It was shown to predict both physical and mental health-related quality of life, being especially strongly associated with mental health aspects. The study showed that the Swedish version of CD-RISC is an instrument with high discriminant and predictive validity, although the original factor structure does not apply in this context. CD-RISC can thus be used to identify individuals with a higher need of psychosocial support, especially relating to mental health needs.