Defining resilience using the substantive scales of the MMPI-2-RF

Many individuals will experience trauma at some point in their lifetime (Connor, 2006). The ability to adapt and function well post-trauma is a dimensional, adaptive trait, commonly referred to as resilience (Masten, 2001). Research on this construct is in abundance, but there is little agreement on how to conceptualize it. The current project focused on exploring the ability for resilience to be conceptualized as a personality trait. Furthermore, we hope to show that resilience can aid in an individual’s ability to adjust effectively after the experience of trauma symptoms and lessen the opportunity for distress, life dissatisfaction, and dysfunctional mental health problems. Results were based on data from a sample of college students (N=199) who completed surveys on the CD-RISC, the PCL-C, and the MMPI-2-RF were used in the analyses for dimensional scales of resilience, trauma, and psychological distress (RCd). Results supported our notion that resilience could be associated to personality traits. Further analyses revealed that there was an interaction between trauma and resilience, but resilience did not seem to moderate the association between trauma and demoralization. Those who endorsed higher trauma symptoms also had higher scores on demoralization. However, there is no differences between these individuals based on their resiliency. Results supported the relationship between resilience and dysfunction in personality constructs. Future research should work to better develop the construct working towards a universal definition and more precise measurement tools for use in high-stress occupations