Devereux Adult Resilience Survey (DARS)

The Devereux Adult Resilience Survey (DARS) is a 23-item self-assessment designed to measure protective factors that support emotional well-being, resilience, and healthy functioning in adults. Developed by the Devereux Center for Resilient Children (DCRC), the DARS emphasizes strengths rather than symptoms, allowing individuals and clinicians to identify internal and external resources that promote adaptability and recovery.

The survey produces a total resilience score along with four domain scores: Internal Beliefs, Relationships, Initiative, and Self-Control. These domains reflect core components of adult resilience within the DCRC's research-based protective factors framework. The DARS is intended for strengths-based assessment, personal development, coaching, behavioural health, wellness programs, and organizational contexts rather than diagnosis.

  • At baseline, during wellness, coaching, counselling, or resilience-building programs
  • Every 2–6 months, to monitor growth in protective factors
  • At major transitions, such as workplace changes, stress periods, or shifts in mental health
  • As clinically indicated, when resilience, coping, or strengths are treatment targets

For professional reference, research, and education only. Not for diagnosis or medical advice.

The DARS (Devereux Adult Resilience Survey) is a 23-item self-report survey of the protective factors that support resilience in adults, such as relationships, emotional self-control and self-efficacy 1 3. It describes strengths; it does not screen for a condition.

Where does the DARS come from?

The DARS is rooted in the Devereux Center for Resilient Children's protective factors framework, which expands on decades of research in resilience science 1. Rather than focusing on risk or psychopathology, the DARS highlights positive attributes and capacities that help adults manage stress, identify solutions, and maintain healthy relationships. Its development was published by DCRC rather than in a peer-reviewed journal.

The four domains, Internal Beliefs, Relationships, Initiative, and Self-Control, represent core competencies associated with adaptive functioning. By focusing on strengths, the DARS aligns with positive psychology principles and provides an affirming assessment experience suited for coaching, prevention, mental health support, and organizational well-being initiatives. It has been used to evaluate a well-being program for early childhood teachers 2.

What does the DARS measure?

The DARS evaluates protective resilience factors, focusing on internal capacities and interpersonal resources that help adults navigate stress and challenges.

The four domain categories include:

  • Internal Beliefs: Sense of purpose, optimism, confidence, internal motivation
  • Relationships: Social support, communication, empathy, connection
  • Initiative: Goal-setting, problem-solving, adaptability, persistence
  • Self-Control: Emotional regulation, impulse control, stress management

Together, these domains offer a broad view of the strengths that contribute to resilience, well-being, and personal growth. For a resilience measure with peer-reviewed validation, see the CD-RISC or the BRS.

How do you give the DARS?

  • Each item is answered on a 3-point scale (not yet, sometimes, yes) 3
  • Suitable for mental health counselling, coaching, wellness programs, and workplace training
  • Works well as part of motivational interviewing or strengths-based interventions
  • Can be administered digitally or on paper
  • Results lend themselves to collaborative conversation and goal-setting
  • Not intended as a diagnostic measure; best used alongside clinical or contextual assessments when appropriate

How do you score and interpret the DARS?

Item responses are summed to a total resilience score, with higher scores indicating more resilience 3, and the items also give four domain scores, each representing levels of protective factors.

Interpretation principles:

  • Higher scores reflect stronger resilience capacities and protective factors
  • No clinical cutoffs are used; scores are relative and descriptive
  • Subscale patterns are often more meaningful than the total score
  • Results support discussion about strengths, coping strategies, and areas for growth
  • Ideal for collaborative goal-setting and strengths-based interventions

Interpretation notes:

  • The DARS is not designed to identify mental health disorders or risk levels
  • Should be paired with additional assessments for individuals experiencing severe distress
  • Self-perception and cultural factors influence responses and should be considered
  • Changes in scores over time may reflect growth through therapy, coaching, or life experience

Psychometric properties

Reliability

  • Internal consistency was good (coefficient alpha 0.81) in a sample of 718 early childhood teachers 3
  • Designed for stability across contexts while still responsive to growth

Validity

  • Content validity grounded in resilience and protective factor research
  • Construct validity supported by alignment with adult strengths and positive psychology frameworks
  • In early childhood teachers, more adverse childhood experiences and more workplace stress were each associated with lower DARS resilience scores 3

Limitations

  • Peer-reviewed psychometric evidence is limited
  • Not diagnostic and should not be used to assess risk or clinical severity
  • Interpretation depends on self-report accuracy and insight
  • Cultural, occupational, or personality factors may influence scores
  • Domain boundaries reflect the DCRC framework and may not align with all resilience models

For individuals: This page is a clinical reference, not a diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about your own symptoms, bring this information to a qualified mental health professional.

Track Devereux Adult Resilience Survey (DARS) scores with clients

  • Send Devereux Adult Resilience Survey (DARS) check-ins by email or QR code before a session. Each response is scored on submission and charted over time, so you and your team can see how a client is changing.

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Related

FAQ

  • Is the DARS self-report or clinician-administered?

    The DARS is a self-report measure completed by the adult respondent themselves. No clinician scoring or administration is required, making it suitable for independent completion in coaching, wellness, and clinical support contexts.

  • Does the DARS have clinical cutoff scores for risk or severity?

    No. The DARS does not use clinical cutoffs. Scores are relative and descriptive rather than tied to diagnostic categories or risk levels. Higher scores indicate stronger protective resilience factors, but interpretation focuses on individual strengths and areas for growth rather than clinical thresholds.

  • What does the DARS measure and how is it organized?

    The DARS measures protective factors across four domains: Internal Beliefs (optimism, confidence, sense of purpose), Relationships (social support, empathy, connection), Initiative (goal-setting, problem-solving, adaptability), and Self-Control (emotional regulation, impulse control, stress management). It generates a total resilience score and four subscale scores.

  • Can the DARS be used to diagnose a mental health condition?

    No. The DARS is a strengths-based assessment tool, not a diagnostic tool. It is intended for personal development, coaching, wellness programs, and organizational contexts. For individuals experiencing clinical distress, the DARS should be paired with appropriate clinical assessment tools.

References

    1. 1.Mackrain M. Devereux Adult Resilience Survey (DARS). Devereux Center for Resilient Children; 2013.
    2. 2.Moreland A, Schnake K, Lessard L, Davies F, Prowell K, Hubel GS. Improving Teacher Health and Well-Being: Mixed Methods Outcomes Evaluation of the Be Well Care Well Program. Early Childhood Educ J. 2025;53(5):1781–1793.
    3. 3.Rancher C, Moreland AD. Adverse childhood experiences, stress, and resilience among early childhood teachers. Early Child Res Q. 2023;62:186–193.

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