Measuring Resilience
Resilience could be both a predictor and outcome, depending on the
theoretical focus of research. However, for program evaluations of interventions,
resilience is generally considered an outcome (i.e., a dependent variable).
When measuring the impact of resilience-building intervention programs,
consider whether:
-
the program targets resilience per se and you want a direct measure of
psychological resilience, or
-
the program targets a range of development outcomes which collectively, but
more loosely, represent the notion of resilience
If the program specifically targets resilience, there are a limited range of
measurement tools, including Wagnild and
Young's Resilience Scale. There may, however, be better options out there, particularly for
measuring resilience in children and adolescences - e.g., see the review
by Karen Hurtes in
the Therapeutic Recreation Journal (2001?).
If the program targets a range of development outcomes which more loosely
represent resilience, then there are a wider range of tools, instruments, and questionnaires
which measure the impacts on a variety of psycho-social constructs.
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