Resilience in the United States Air Force: Psychometric Properties of the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD RISC)
Results are presented for the largest study (N 53,692) ever conducted on the 25 item Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD RISC) a popular measure of resilience. We examined the internal consistency of the CD RISC items and associated mean resilience levels within a sample of enlisted basic trainees in the United States Air Force. In addition, the predictive validity of the CD RISC Total Score was examined for real life military outcomes, including attrition from service and mental health diagnosis. The CD RISC items demonstrated strong internal consistency. Item level examinations of scores revealed that most trainees reported relatively high resilience. Results indicated that resilience measured at the beginning of military service is a significant predictor of (a) attrition from service and (b) obtaining a mental health diagnosis within 6 months of entry. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Psychological assessment