Development of a Resilience Survey for Expectant and Parenting Youth - Abstract
Background: The Adolescent Family Life Program Positive Youth Development (AFLP PYD) model is a case management-based intervention that supports the development of protective factors that contribute to resilience among Expectant and Parenting Youth (EPY) in California. This study describes the development of the Resilience Survey for EPY. Methods: A literature review informed the development of a new scale to assess resiliency. Cognitive interviews were conducted to ensure content validity and understanding of the survey items and response options. The survey was administered to 707 AFLP PYD participants at baseline and six months later. Factor and sensitivity analyses were used to reduce the number of items. Results: The literature review identified 29 resilience surveys. Of these, 23 items from 14 surveys were consistent with the AFLP PYD theoretical framework and evaluation objectives. Three additional items were developed to ensure coverage of each construct, resulting in a 26-item survey. Factor and sensitivity analysis resulted in a final 12-item scale. The average individual-level increase in resilience was 0.15 (standard deviation 0.36), which was statistically different from zero (p < 0.001). Cohen’s dz for change over time was 0.41, corresponding to a small to medium effect. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.85 at baseline and 0.89 at six months, indicating high internal consistency.Conclusions: The Resilience Survey for EPY may be a useful evaluation tool for other resilience-based interventions.