Development of a New Multidimensional Resiliency Measure

With the widespread use of preventive science frameworks in schools, these settings have become prominent contexts in providing youth with supports through programs that promote resilience. Increasing resilience in students is linked to positive outcomes; however, existing assessment practices for resilience have multiple limitations. This study aimed to develop a multidimensional resiliency measure through a rigorous, multi-stage process that included item generation, content validation, and confirmatory factor analyses. The process included 3,609 high school students (Grades 9–12) from 15 school districts in a southeastern state and resulted in the development of a multidimensional general resiliency measure consisting of 70 items across 11 dimensions, along with an overall resilience score. The measure is intended for use as a tool in program evaluation within school settings. Implications for research and future directions are discussed.