At the Devereux Center for Resilient Children (DCRC) we believe that it takes resilient adults to build the resilience of children. We strive to conduct research to provide the evidence base for our adult resources, advance the state of knowledge in our field, and to provide information that will contribute to the social and emotional health of those who care for children.

The Devereux Adult Resilience Survey (DARS) is a 23-item reflective checklist that provides adults with information about their person strengths, such as creativity and setting limits, so that they can better cope with adversity and the stresses of daily life.

In developing the Devereux Adult Resilience Survey (DARS), the Devereux Center for Resilient Children’s research team did a thorough review of the adult resilience literature to identify those characteristics of resilient adults/caregivers. In addition, focus groups with families, early childhood caregivers, and home based caregivers along with national experts provided further information on behaviors indicative of resilient adults. The focus groups and conversations with national experts focused on gathering information related to 1) what behaviors adults felt were important to help them bounce back in life as well as, 2) what behavior adults need to provide nurturing, quality care to young children. What resulted was a set of 23 items across four domains, relationships, initiative, internal beliefs and self-control. Literature and information from focus groups and experts in the field support the importance of these protective factors in supporting adult resilience.

Published Reports, Articles And Chapters

Poyner, N.B. (2016). Factors that contribute to resilience of early care and education teachers. Walden University. View Abstract.

Fleming, J., Mackrain, M., & LeBuffe, P. (2013). Caring for the caregiver: Promoting the resilience of teachers. In  S. Goldstein & R. Brookes (Eds.), Handbook of resilience in children (pp. 387-397). New York, NY: Spring-Verlag. View Abstract.   View Book Synopsis.

Shapiro, V.B. (2015, March). Resilience: Have we not gone far enough? A response to Larry E. Davis [Editorial]. Social Work Research, 39(1), 7-10. View Editorial.

Smith, G.T., LeBuffe, P., Alleyne, D., Mackrain, M., & Likins, L. (2014). Bringing a resilience perspective to children in the child welfare system: A curriculum for caregivers. In S. Prince-Embury & D.H. Saklofske (Eds.) Resilience interventions for youth in diverse populations (pp. 159-180). New York, NY: Springer. View Chapter Excerpt. View Book Synopsis.

DCRC Research Reports

A research study investigated the reliability and validity of the DARS by correlating participants’ scores on the DARS with their respective scores on the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), a resilience scale that is supported by the literature (Connor & Davidson, 2003). This study shows that the DARS is a reliable and valid tool that can be used by adults to nurture their own personal strengths, thereby supporting resilience, the ability to bounce back from life challenges. Young children need responsible, loving care and adults who are able to care for themselves are better able to support the needs of children within their care.

Devereux Center for Resilient Children. (2009). Psychometric Support for the Devereux Adult Resilience Survey. Villanova, PA: Amanda Ball & Mary Mackrain. View Report.