Development and Initial Validation of the Mount Sinai Resilience Scale

Objective: The construct of psychological resilience has received increasing attention in the mental health field. This article describes the development and initial validation of a novel self-report resilience scale, which addresses gaps in the resilience measurement literature by assessing thoughts and behaviors that help promote resilience rather than traits, and simultaneously evaluating multiple factors previously associated with resilience. Method: Following consensus meetings focused on scale development, we conducted an online study (n = 1,864) of U.S. adults to develop and validate an initial version of the Mount Sinai Resilience Scale (MSRS). Results: An exploratory factor analysis in a random 50% of the sample suggested a seven-factor solution; this solution was then generally supported by a follow-up confirmatory factor analysis in the remaining 50% of the sample. After removing poor-fitting items, a revised 24-item scale correlated in the expected directions with established measures of perceived resilience and resilience-related constructs (e.g., social support and optimism). Conclusions: Collectively, the results of this study provide initial support for the convergent and discriminant validity of the MSRS and describe its factor structure. Clinical Impact Statement This study describes the development and preliminary assessment of a new scale of psychological resilience called the Mount Sinai Resilience Scale. It includes many factors that can contribute to a person's resilience following a challenging life event and may be a helpful tool for evaluating response to resilience-building or mental health interventions.