Don’t Take It Personal Although It’s Personal

NACADA International Conference 2021

The Ego Resilience Scale

Please read the below statements about yourself and indicate how well it applies to you by circling the answer to the right from 1
(does not apply at all) to 4 (applies very strongly). Let me know how true the following characteristics are as they apply to you
generally:

Characteristics About You Does not Apply at All Applies Very Strongly
1. I am generous with my friends. 1 2 Applies 3 4
Does not apply at slightly Applies somewhat Applies very
all strongly
2. I quickly get over and recover from 1 2 Applies 3 4
Does not apply at slightly Applies somewhat Applies very
being startled.
all strongly

3. I enjoy dealing with new and unusual 1 2 Applies 3 4

Does not apply at slightly Applies somewhat Applies very
situations.
all strongly
4. I usually succeed in making a favorable 1 2 Applies 3 4
Does not apply at slightly Applies somewhat Applies very
impression on people.
all strongly
5. I enjoy trying new foods I have never 1 2 Applies 3 4
Does not apply at slightly Applies somewhat Applies very
tasted before.
all strongly
6. I am regarded as a very energetic 1 2 Applies 3 4
Does not apply at slightly Applies somewhat Applies very
person.
all strongly
7. I like to take different paths to familiar 1 2 Applies 3 4
Does not apply at slightly Applies somewhat Applies very
places.
all strongly
8. I am more curious than most people. 1 2 Applies 3 4
Does not apply at slightly Applies somewhat Applies very
all strongly
9. Most of the people I meet are likable. 1 2 Applies 3 4
Does not apply at slightly Applies somewhat Applies very
all strongly
10. I usually think carefully about 1 2 Applies 3 4
Does not apply at slightly Applies somewhat Applies very
something before acting.
all strongly
11. I like to do new and different things. 1 2 Applies 3 4
Does not apply at slightly Applies somewhat Applies very
all strongly
12. My daily life is full of things that keep 1 2 Applies 3 4
Does not apply at slightly Applies somewhat Applies very
me interested.
all strongly
13. I would be willing to describe myself 1 2 Applies 3 4
Does not apply at slightly Applies somewhat Applies very
as a pretty “strong” personality.
all strongly
14. I get over my anger at someone 1 2 Applies 3 4
Does not apply at slightly Applies somewhat Applies very
reasonably quickly.
all strongly
Source: (J. Block & Kremen, 1996)
Scoring Interpretation
Score 47-56 35-46 23-34 11-22 0-10
Level of Very High High Resiliency Undetermined Trait Low Resiliency Very Low Resiliency
Resilience Resiliency Trait Trait Trait Trait
 The 14-Item Resilience Scale (RS-14)
Please read the following statements. To the right of each you will find seven numbers, ranging
from "1" (Strongly Disagree) on the left to "7" (Strongly Agree) on the right. Circle the number
which best indicates your feelings about that statement. For example, if you strongly disagree with
a statement, circle "1". If you are neutral, circle "4", and if you strongly agree, circle "7", etc.

Circle the number in the appropriate column Strongly Strongly Agree

Disagree
1. I usually manage one way or another. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2. I feel proud that I have accomplished things in 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
life.
3. I usually take things in stride. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
4. I am friends with myself. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
5. I feel that I can handle many things at a time. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

6. I am determined. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
7. I can get through difficult times because I’ve 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
experienced difficulty before.
8. I have self-discipline. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
9. I keep interested in things. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
10. I can usually find something to laugh about. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
11. My belief in myself gets me through hard 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
times.
12. In an emergency, I’m someone people can 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
generally rely on.
13. My life has meaning. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
14. When I’m in a difficult situation, I can 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
usually find my way out of it.

To estimate your level of resilience (only for self evaluation), add the circled numbers:
82-98= Very High Resilience Tendencies; 64-81 High Resilience Tendencies; 49-63 = Average; 31-
48 = Low Resilience Tendencies; 14-30 = Very Low Resilience Tendencies.
If you have an average score or below, talk to a colleague about those low-scoring items.

©2009 Gail M. Wagnild and Heather M. Young. Used by permission. All rights reserved. “The Resilience
Scale” is an international trademark of Gail M. Wagnild & Heather M. Young, 1993
Note: This form has been slightly modified for the purpose of self-assessment. This form is not intended for clinical use. Students are not
being trained as clinicians, but rather to develop self-awareness of potential impact of crisis intervention work.