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

Abstract

Background: 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. Methods: 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). Results: 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. Conclusions: 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.

Psychometric Properties of the 25-Item Connor-Davison Resilience Scale: Preliminary Data for a Romanian Military Population

“…For example, in a Sweden sample, the authors showed that the remaining model excluded 3 items, items 3 and 9 that form the "spiritual influences" from the initial model (Velickovic et al, 2020). Similar decisions were made by researchers from Australia and Spain, where their final model did not include all items from the original model (Burns & Anstey, 2010;González, Sierra, Martínez & Martinez-Molina, 2015).…”

“…These results are in accordance with several studies of psychometric properties of CD-RISC 25. Some researches show that the factorial design of CD-RISC varies depending on the cultural context of the population studied (Ionescu, 2013) and the five-facture framework of CD-RISC 25 does not replicate in different contexts (Velickovic et al, 2020).…”

“…For instance, in a Chinese community sample, Yu, Lau, Mak, Zhang, and Lui (2011) yielded a 3-factor structure for CD-RISC. Faria Anjos, Heitor dos Santos, Ribeiro, and Moreira (2019) also suggested a 3-factor solution for a Portuguese sample, while Velickovic, Rahm, Hallberg, Axelsson, Borrebaeck, Ryden, Johnsson & Mansson (2020) recommended that in a Swedish context CD-RISC be applied as a one-dimensional scale.…”

<p>Psychological Resilience and Health-Related Quality of Life in Swedish Women with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer</p>

“… 8 , 12 , 13 , 20 , 21 Recently a Swedish population-based study has been published, where the mean score for psychological resilience was reported to 68.7 among women in a non-clinical population (N=1283, Cronbach´s alpha=0.92). 14 This non-clinical population was selected based on reaching out for people with lung- and heart diseases. Thus, Swedish norm data are not yet available.…”

“…4,6,[8][9][10][11] Higher levels of psychological resilience do not make the patients unaffected by distress, but they do help the patients to adapt when facing significant adversities. [12][13][14] In studies including BC patients, higher levels of psychological resilience have been found to be associated with higher levels of HRQoL. 4,8,10 The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 25 (CD-RISC25) is one of the resilience scales that has been demonstrated to have the best psychometric properties and is the most commonly and widely used resilience scale.…”