Scale Analysis

The Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA-32) was developed by Friborg, Hjemdal, Rosenvinge, and Martinussen in 2003. It is a multidimensional scale designed to assess general characteristics of resilience in adults.

Purpose of the Scale

The RSA-32 was created to identify key protective factors that contribute to adult resilience. It examines both intrapersonal and interpersonal protective resources that facilitate adaptation to psychosocial adversity. It includes the following core factors:
Personal competence
Social competence
Family coherence
Social support
Personal structure
These five factors represent the three broad categories of protective factors: individual, family, and social.

Scoring of Items

Participants are asked to reflect on how closely they identify with each statement. The questionnaire includes 32 items, rated on a 5-point Likert scale (from 1 to 5). Each item has one positive and one negative anchor at either end of the scale. To avoid bias, 16 items are scored with the positive anchor on the left (1) and 16 with the positive anchor on the right (5), with the negative anchors arranged accordingly in reverse.

Statistical Analysis

The RSA yields a total score by summing the ratings of all items, with a range from 32 to 160. Higher scores indicate greater resilience.

Validity and Reliability

The internal consistency reliability, measured by Cronbach’s alpha, was found to be high across all dimensions, ranging from 0.74 to 0.92. The overall internal reliability was excellent, with α = 0.93.

References

Friborg, O., Hjemdal, O., Rosenvinge, J. H., & Martinussen, M. (2003). A new rating scale for adult resilience: What are the central protective resources behind healthy adjustment? International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 12(2), 65–76.