Adaptation of the vicarious resilience scale to Turkish: A validity and reliability study

Abstract

Objective: The 27-item Vicarious Resilience Scale (VRS) is the first tool developed to measure vicarious resilience in mental health professionals working with trauma survivors. Given that the VRS measures the positive impact on therapists resulting from observing the healing process of trauma victims, it is especially significant to evaluate its validity and reliability in Turkish culture. This study aims to adapt the VRS to Turkish and examine its psychometric properties. Method: VRS was adapted and administered via electronic survey to 337 mental health professionals from around the globe working with survivors of severe traumas, such as earthquake survivors. The validity of the VRS was examined using different techniques: confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and criterion-related validity. Result: CFA yielded seven factors that were consistent with the original form: changes in life goals and perspective, client-inspired hope, increased recognition of clients' spirituality as a therapeutic resource, increased capacity for resourcefulness, increased self-awareness and self-care practices, increased consciousness of power and privilege relative to clients' social location, and increased capacity for remaining present while listening to trauma narratives. The Cronbach's alpha reliability of the VRS was found to be .95; it displayed positive correlations with posttraumatic growth, psychological resilience, and quality of life, indicating convergent validity. However, it had a negative correlation with depression, anxiety, and stress, indicating discriminant validity. Conclusion: The VRS is a valid and reliable measurement scale by professionals working with trauma survivors to aid the recognition and cultivation of vicarious resilience in Turkish mental health professionals.