Reliability and validity of the multiple sclerosis resiliency scale (MSRS)

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the internal reliability and construct validity of the Multiple Sclerosis Resiliency Scale (MSRS) in comparison with a common measure of global resilience. MethodsParticipants were 216 community-dwelling adults with MS (mean age: 48.8 ± 12.5 years; 77% female; median disease duration: 8 years) recruited through a university-affiliated MS Center. Participants completed the MSRS, 10-item Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CDRS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and depressive and anxious symptom items from the SymptoMScreen. ResultsThe MSRS exhibited fair to excellent internal consistency (αs 0.74 to 0.91) and divergent validity with disability severity (r = −0.19), MS duration (r = 0.07), and MS subtype (r = −0.01). The MSRS total and Emotional and Cognitive Strategies subscale scores were moderately correlated with the CDRS (rs = 0.50 and 0.62), PSS (rs = −0.56 and − 0.62), depressive symptoms (rs = −0.49 and − 0.54), and anxious symptoms (rs = −0.38 and − 0.047). The MSRS total and Emotional and Cognitive Strategies subscale scores exhibited fair to good accuracy (AUCs = 0.73 to 0.83) for identifying participants in the highest and lowest CDRS quartiles; however, cutoff scores yielded only fair sensitivity and specificity, and the measures differed significantly in classification of participants into highest and lowest quartiles. ConclusionAlthough the MSRS may be useful in assessing resilience to MS-specific challenges, use of a global resilience measure may still be indicated depending on the clinical and research context.