Abstract:
This study reports on the reliability of scores and the structural properties of a resilience measure used with
adolescents from a low resource South African neighbourhood. The Resilience Questionnaire for Middle-Adolescents
in Township Schools (R-MATS) was administered to 213 Black, Grade 9 middle-adolescent learners (M age = 14 yrs, 11
months, SD = 0.54, girls = 38.5%, boys = 61.5%). Internal consistency measures were computed including Exploratory
Factor Analysis. Four factors defined resilience in the setting: confidence and internal locus of control, social support,
toughness and commitment, and achievement orientation. The R-MATS appears reliable for measuring resilience
among teenagers in low-income settings.
