Abstract:
Resilience constructs and measures in the military context are of particular interest because of
their association with general performance and mental health outcomes. However, in spite of
the reported advantages, the use of resilience assessment models faces two challenges: firstly,
measurement and, secondly, operational application within the military environment. This
article aimed to provide preliminary validation for a Brief Sailor Resiliency Scale (BSRS) for
use in the South African Navy (SAN) in order to discuss its operational application for
individuals and groups. The study used a sample of active-duty SAN sailors, distributed
throughout the fleet. Participants (N = 1312) completed the BSRS, together with established
measures of resiliency and emotional regulation, and also provided socio-demographic
information. The psychometric structure of the scale was examined, firstly, through
confirmatory factor analysis within structural equation modelling, and secondly sociodemographic
effects and construct validity were also explored. The model yielded acceptable
fit and high internal consistency. Furthermore, the results support the construct validity of the
scale. The data appear to support the contention that comprehensive resilience screening
measures, while still brief and time-effective, could be employed to the benefit of navy
personnel. This would facilitate a ‘screen-and-stream’ approach which allows military mental
health practitioners (1) to screen military personnel comprehensively and (2) to identify and
stream quickly those whose resilience appears to be compromised for further assessment and
targeted intervention by appropriate support providers.
