Examining the structural validity of the CD-RISC among engineering students

Abstract

This work in progress study examines the structural validation of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Resilience, an ability to respond positively to challenging situations, is an essential psychological attribute in responding to stressors. Students often encounter stressful situations that could influence their motivation to remain and succeed in an engineering degree. Developing and strengthening resiliency among engineering students is essential for their academic success in engineering. Participants included 150 undergraduate students enrolled in a foundational engineering course who completed an online survey of the resilience measure. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed to examine the structural validity evidence of the CD-RISC. Model fitness statistics based on CFI, TLI, RMSEA indicated that a five-factor model of the CD-RISC is acceptable. Convergent validity and discriminant evidence were examined using the AVE and MSV estimates. The analysis indicated some concerns with the validity evidence of the instrument. Implications of findings and future directions are discussed.