Psychometric Properties of a Measure of Resilience Among Middle-Adolescents in a South African Setting

Abstract

This study reports on the reliability of scores and the structural properties of a resilience measure used with adolescents from a low resource South African neighbourhood. The Resilience Questionnaire for Middle-Adolescents in Township Schools (R-MATS) was administered to 213 Black, Grade 9 middle-adolescent learners (Mage = 14 yrs, 11 months, SD = 0.54, girls = 38.5%, boys = 61.5%). Internal consistency measures were computed including Exploratory Factor Analysis. Four factors defined resilience in the setting: confidence and internal locus of control, social support, toughness and commitment, and achievement orientation. The R-MATS appears reliable for measuring resilience among teenagers in low-income settings.

Keywords:

• resiliency
• resilence
• resilience questionnaire
• middle adolescence