This study critically evaluated the factor structure underlying two measures of hardiness. Hardiness was conceptualized by Kobasa as consisting of three factors: commitment, control, and challenge. Over time, however, one- to four-factor solutions have been identified, depending on the measures used and the population studied. A sample of 183 adult university employees completed the Personal Views Survey (PVS) and the Revised Hardiness Scale (RHS). Neither principal axis factor analyses nor confirmatory factor analyses supported Kobasa's conceptualization of hardiness. The findings of this study highlight the importance of reevaluating how hardiness is conceptualized and revising its measures before continuing to investigate each factor's effect on physical and psychological wellness.
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