CD-RISC: Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale
25-item validated measure of resilience. Score 0–100; population mean ≈ 80. Higher scores indicate greater resilience capacity. Free for clinical use. Connor & Davidson (2003).
The CD-RISC is a 25-item validated self-report measure of resilience. Items are scored 0–4 on a frequency scale. Total score 0–100; higher scores indicate greater resilience. Population mean ≈ 80. Connor & Davidson (2003). Public domain.
What is the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale?
The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) was developed by Kathryn Connor and Jonathan Davidson (2003) as a validated, quantitative measure of resilience, the ability to thrive in the face of adversity, trauma, and significant stressors. It has become the most widely cited resilience scale in clinical research, with thousands of applications in PTSD, anxiety, depression, and general health research.
Each of the 25 items is rated on a 5-point scale (0 = Not true at all, 4 = True nearly all the time) based on how the respondent has felt over the past month. Scores are summed to yield a total score from 0 to 100, with higher scores reflecting greater resilience. The scale draws on concepts including personal competence, trust in instincts, tolerance of negative affect, positive acceptance of change, and spiritual influences.
The general population normative mean is approximately 80.4 (SD 12.8) in community samples. The CD-RISC is in the public domain and free for clinical and research use. It is a positive psychology scale, higher scores reflect a strength, not a symptom burden.
Rate how true each statement has been for you over the past month.
Educational reference only. Does not constitute a clinical assessment.
CD-RISC Score Interpretation
Connor & Davidson (2003). General population mean ≈ 80.4 (SD 12.8). Higher scores indicate greater resilience capacity.
Track Resilience Alongside Clinical Outcomes in HiBoop
CD-RISC alongside PHQ-9, PCL-5, and GAD-7, longitudinal resilience tracking to complement your symptom burden monitoring across every patient.
References
- 1.Connor KM, Davidson JRT. Development of a new resilience scale: the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Depress Anxiety. 2003;18(2):76-82.View source
- 2.Campbell-Sills L, Stein MB. Psychometric analysis and refinement of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC): validation of a 10-item measure of resilience. J Trauma Stress. 2007;20(6):1019-28.View source
- 3.Velickovic K, Rahm Hallberg I, Axelsson U, et al. Psychometric properties of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) in a non-clinical population in Sweden. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2020;18(1):132.View source
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the CD-RISC scored?
The CD-RISC contains 25 items, each rated on a 5-point scale from 0 (not true at all) to 4 (true nearly all the time) based on the respondent's experience over the past month. All items are summed to produce a total score ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate greater resilience capacity.
Is the CD-RISC self-report or clinician-administered?
The CD-RISC is a self-report questionnaire completed by the respondent. No clinician administration or scoring is required. A shorter 10-item version (CD-RISC-10) and a 2-item version (CD-RISC-2) are also available for contexts where brevity is a priority.
What is considered a typical score on the CD-RISC?
In general community samples, the average total score is approximately 80, as reported by Connor and Davidson (2003). Individuals affected by anxiety, depression, or PTSD typically score lower than community norms, which is one reason the scale is used to track change during treatment.
Can the CD-RISC be used to diagnose a condition?
No. The CD-RISC measures resilience — a psychological strength — not a clinical disorder. It cannot be used to diagnose any condition. It is best used alongside symptom measures (such as the PCL-5 or PHQ-9) to provide a more complete picture of a person's functioning.
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