Resilience measurement in later life: a systematic review and psychometric analysis.

T D Cosco,D Kuh,M Richards,A Kaushal,M Stafford

doi:10.1186/s12955-016-0418-6

Abstract

ObjectivesTo systematically review and examine the psychometric properties of established resilience scales in older adults, i.e. ≥60 years.MethodsA systematic review of Scopus and Web of Science databases was undertaken using the search strategy “resilience” AND (ageing OR aging)”. Independent title/abstract and fulltext screening were undertaken, identifying original peer-reviewed English articles that conducted psychometric validation studies of resilience metrics in samples aged ≥60 years. Data on the reliability/validity of the included metrics were extracted from primary studies.ResultsFive thousand five hundred nine studies were identified by the database search, 426 used resilience psychometrics, and six psychometric analysis studies were included in the final analysis. These studies conducted analyses of the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and its shortened 10-item version (CD-RISC10), the Resilience Scale (RS) and its shortened 5- (RS-5) and 11- (RS-11) item versions, and the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS). All scales demonstrated acceptable levels of internal consistency, convergent/discriminant validity and theoretical construct validity. Factor structures for the RS, RS-11 and CD-RISC diverged from the structures in the original studies.ConclusionThe RS, RS-5, RS-11, CD-RISC, CD-RISC10 and BRCS demonstrate psychometric robustness adequate for continued use in older populations. However, results from the current study and pre-existing theoretical construct validity studies most strongly support the use of the RS, with modest and preliminary support for the CD-RISC and BRCS, respectively. Future studies assessing the validity of these metrics in older populations, particularly with respect to factor structure, would further strengthen the case for the use of these scales.

Highlights

The examination of aspects of ageing beyond pathological and deficit-based models is on the rise [1,2,3]
Included psychometrics Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale The Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) is a 25item metric developed from previous work by Kobasa [19], Rutter [7], and Lyons [20], with a theoretical grounding in stress, coping and adaptation research [12]
The CD-RISC, CD-RISC10, Resilience Scale (RS), RS-5, RS-11 and Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) demonstrate psychometric properties that fall within acceptable ranges of internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity in older populations to warrant their continued usage; the factor structure of the scales was inconsistent

Summary

Introduction

The examination of aspects of ageing beyond pathological and deficit-based models is on the rise [1,2,3]. The environmental challenges faced in early-life differ from those in later life and we know little about continuities and discontinuities in resilience across life and whether the factors that promote resilience change. The relevance of current models of resilience and the applicability of resilience scales should be examined in older populations. This information will be important in the accurate identification of variables fostering resilience.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion