Resilience Appraisals Scale

Citation: Johnson, J., Gooding, P. A., Wood, A. M., & Tarrier, N. (2010). Resilience as positive coping appraisals: Testing the schematic appraisals model of suicide (SAMS). Behaviour Research and Therapy, 48(3), 179-186.

PMID or DOI: PMID: 19906364, DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2009.10.007

Main positive psychological well-being construct measured: Positive self-appraisals

Sub-constructs measured: Emotion coping appraisals, situation coping appraisals, and social support appraisals

Available subscales: Emotion coping appraisals, situation coping appraisals, and social support appraisals

Description: The Resilience Appraisals Scale was based on the schematic appraisals model of suicide, which suggests three types of positive self-appraisals are important for promoting resilience. These are appraisals of the individual’s ability to cope with emotions, solve problematic situations, and gain social support; and these positive self-appraisals are believed to buffer the impact of negative life events on later suicidal ideation.

Number of items: 12

Example statement/item: “If I were to have problems, I have people I could turn to” 

Response options: 5-point scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree

Total score: Scores are summed in each subscale and for the total scale, higher scores indicate more positive self-appraisals.