title: Validation and development of a shorter version of the resilience scale RS-11: results from the population-based KORA-age study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to assess reliability and validity of the Resilience Scale 11 (RS-11) and develop a shorter scale in a population-based study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The RS-11 scale was administered to 3942 participants (aged 64 - 94 years) of the KORA-Age study. To test reliability, factor analyses were carried out and internal consistency (Cronbach's α) was measured. Construct validity was measured by correlating scores with psychological constructs. The criterion for a shorter scale was a minimum internal consistency of .80. Shorter models were compared using confirmatory factor analysis. Sensitivity and specificity of RS-5 to RS-11 was analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Factor analysis of the RS-11 gave a 1-factor solution. Internal consistency was α = .86. A shorter version of the scale was developed with 5 items, which also gave a 1-factor solution and showed good validity. Internal consistency of this shorter scale: Resilience Scale 5 (RS-5) was α = .80. Sensitivity and specificity of RS-5 compared with RS-11 were .79 and .91 respectively. Both scales correlated significantly in expected directions with related constructs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The RS-11 and the RS-5 are reliable, consistent and valid instruments to measure the ability of elderly individuals to successfully cope with change and misfortune.
authors.affiliation: Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Epidemiology II, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, Neuherberg, 85764 Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: von Eisenhart Rothe
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, Leipzig, 04103 Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zenger
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.
authors.forename: Maria Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lacruz
authors.affiliation: Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Epidemiology II, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, Neuherberg, 85764 Germany.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Emeny
authors.affiliation: Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Epidemiology II, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, Neuherberg, 85764 Germany.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baumert
authors.affiliation: Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Epidemiology II, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, Neuherberg, 85764 Germany.
authors.forename: Sibylle
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haefner
authors.affiliation: Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Epidemiology II, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, Neuherberg, 85764 Germany.
authors.forename: Karl-Heinz
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Ladwig
keywords: Aging; Mental health; Psychometrics; Resilience