title: A review of instruments measuring resilience.
abstract: The objectives of the study were to evaluate the psychometric properties and appropriateness of instruments for the study of resilience in adolescents. A search was completed using the terms resilience and instruments or scales using the EBSCO database (CINAHL, PreCINAHL, and Academic Search Premier), MEDLINE, PsychINFO and PsychARTICLES, and the Internet. After instruments were identified, a second search was performed for studies reporting the psychometric development of these instruments. Using inclusion and exclusion criteria, six psychometric development of instrument studies were selected for a full review. A data extraction table was used to compare the six instruments. Two of the six instruments (Baruth Protective Factors Inventory [BPFI] and Brief-Resilient Coping Scale) lacked evidence that they were appropriate for administration with the adolescent population due to lack of research applications. Three instruments (Adolescent Resilience Scale [ARS], Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and Resilience Scale for Adults) had acceptable credibility but needed further study in adolescents. One instrument (Resilience Scale [RS]) was determined to be the best instrument to study resilience in the adolescent population due to psychometric properties of the instrument and applications in a variety of age groups, including adolescence. Findings of this review indicate that the RS is the most appropriate instrument to study resilience in the adolescent population. While other instruments have potential (e.g., ARS, BPFI) as they were tested in the adolescent and young adult populations, they lack evidence for their use at this time. An evaluation of the review and recommendations are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Central Florida School of Nursing, Orlando, Florida, USA. nahern@mail.ucf.edu
authors.forename: Nancy R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Ahern
authors.forename: Ermalynn M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Kiehl
authors.forename: Mary Lou
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Sole
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Byers
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000592:standards; D011581:Psychological Tests / Q000592:standards*; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*