title: Examining the factor structure of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) in a post-9/11 U.S. military veteran sample.
abstract: The present study examined the structural validity of the 25-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) in a large sample of U.S. veterans with military service since September 11, 2001. Participants (N = 1,981) completed the 25-item CD-RISC, a structured clinical interview and a self-report questionnaire assessing psychiatric symptoms. The study sample was randomly divided into two subsamples: an initial sample (Sample 1: n = 990) and a replication sample (Sample 2: n = 991). Findings derived from exploratory factor analysis (EFA) did not support the five-factor analytic structure as initially suggested in Connor and Davidson's instrument validation study. Although parallel analyses indicated a two-factor structural model, we tested one to six factor solutions for best model fit using confirmatory factor analysis. Results supported a two-factor model of resilience, composed of adaptability- (8 items) and self-efficacy-themed (6 items) items; however, only the adaptability-themed factor was found to be consistent with our view of resilience-a factor of protection against the development of psychopathology following trauma exposure. The adaptability-themed factor may be a useful measure of resilience for post-9/11 U.S. military veterans.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA Kimberly.green@duke.edu.
authors.forename: Kimberly T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Green
authors.affiliation: Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Laura C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Hayward
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Ann M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Dennis
authors.affiliation: W. G. Hefner Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salisbury, NC, USA VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Salisbury, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Brandon C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Bryan
authors.affiliation: W. G. Hefner Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salisbury, NC, USA VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Salisbury, NC, USA Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Taber
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan R T
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Jean C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Beckham
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Patrick S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Calhoun
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D023481:Terrorism; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale; exploratory factor analysis; military; psychometric testing