Measurement of psychological resilience

Measurement relating documented adversity to subsequent adaptation. A design specifies exposure, outcome, baseline functioning and follow-up; capacity questionnaires, trajectories and exposure-conditioned regression residual scores operationalize different questions.

An exposure-conditioned adaptation measure. With distress $D_i$, exposure $S_i$ and predicted distress $\hat{m}(S_i)$, the displayed convention makes higher scores mean less distress than predicted. The result depends on exposure measurement, reference population and model. A regression residual can include measurement error and omitted causes rather than a distinct protective capacity.

For ordinary least squares $D=X\hat{\beta }+e$, the normal equation gives $X^{T}e=0$. Thus $R=-e$ is also orthogonal to the fitted predictors; with an intercept its sample mean is zero. A zero in-sample linear association between exposure and this score can therefore be an algebraic consequence of its construction, not evidence that exposure has no effect. Independent validation is needed before assigning substantive meaning to the regression residual.

A self-report measure of coping-related qualities developed by Kathryn M. Connor and Jonathan R. T. Davidson. The original version has 25 items scored from zero to four. Measurement reliability and treatment-associated change concern the measured self-reports; they do not substitute for prospective evidence of adaptation to a documented adversity.^[ref]

A pattern of functioning across time around adversity. Stable adaptation and recovery after adversity can produce similar scores at a late follow-up while reflecting different histories. Estimated trajectory classes depend on measurement and statistical assumptions; they should not automatically be treated as discrete natural types.

Increasing difficulty that becomes evident later rather than immediately after an event. Sparse follow-up or selective attrition can hide such patterns or make their apparent onset misleading.

A return toward earlier or adequate functioning after disruption. Recovery after adversity differs from maintaining low disturbance throughout, and its evaluation depends on the baseline and observation window.