Objective: The present study aimed to translate and validate the French version of the Pain Resilience Scale (PRS) that was initially created and validated within English-speaking populations.
Methods: A total of 137 participants experiencing chronic pain completed the French version of the PRS and other questionnaires commonly used to evaluate resilience or vulnerability towards pain. Of these, 71 participants successfully retook the PRS measure within 15 days of their initial participation. A principal component analysis was employed to evaluate the internal structure of the questionnaire. Following classical test theory, internal consistency, convergent validity, and test-retest reliability were checked for the chosen model. Lastly, an item response theory analysis (IRT) was conducted for the 2 PRS dimensions. Factor analyses identified a two-factor solution consistent to the original English version of the PRS.
Results: The findings demonstrated that the scale's internal consistency and test-retest reliability meet the requirements for classical psychometric qualities. The overall PRS score and its subscales showed good convergent validity with measures assessing resilience or vulnerability processes to pain. IRT results highlighted difficulties with some items on each of the 2 dimensions that complement the results of the previous classical analyses.
Conclusions: The French version of the PRS scale is a reliable tool for measuring pain-specific resilience toward persistent pain.