Eight Personal Characteristics Scale Related to Vitality in Disasters: Turkish Validity and Reliability

Objective: This study aimed to validate and ensure the reliability of the Turkish version of the Vitality Questionnaire, which captures traits advantageous for survival, to aid in systematic preparations for future disasters and life challenges. Method: In this study, the Scale of Eight Personal Characteristics Related to Vitality was translated into Turkish by three language experts, validity and reliability analyses were conducted, and a pilot test was carried out with 30 participants. Subsequently, between February 1 and March 1, 2024, online data were collected from 523 individuals across Turkey who had experienced disasters. Results: The average age of participants was 24.09 ± 7.60 years; 72.7% (n = 380) were female. Among participants, 79.2% (n = 359) had experienced an earthquake, 65.1% (n = 56) a flood, and 47.4% (n = 9) a fire. Analysis of the Eight Personal Traits Scale showed the original 8-factor structure was retained, with all item factor loadings above 0.40 and an explained variance of 61.180%. Therefore, no items were removed, and the 8-subdimension structure was accepted. Factor loadings ranged between 0.34 and 0.83. Internal consistency, evaluated through split-half reliability, was found to be at an acceptable level. Conclusion: The analysis and evaluations conducted in this study concluded that the Eight Personal Traits Scale Related to Disaster Vitality is a valid and reliable measurement tool for the Turkish sample in identifying personal traits in the face of disasters.