Cross-validating the Couple Resilience Inventory with individuals in LGBTQ relationships in Singapore: insights from a mixed-methods approach

The Couple Resilience Inventory (CRI) was first developed by relationship researchers to assess the strategies that intimate couples use to cope with stressful life events. To date, the inventory has not been cross-validated in non-Western societies. A mixed-methods approach was used to examine the relevance, reliability, and validity of the CRI with individuals in LGBTQ relationships purposively sampled from Singapore's LGBTQ community. In the qualitative phase, researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 participants to assess the face and content validity of the inventory. Data were analyzed using Applied Thematic Analysis (Guest et al., 2011). Findings showed most items were clear and applicable to participants, three items were lacking in comprehension and clarity, and three new resilience strategies were suggested. Findings were used to modify existing items and generate new ones in the CRI. The modified inventory was cross-validated with 213 participants in the subsequent quantitative phase. Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed that the two-factor model was a good fit, chi(2) (179, N = 213) = 277.49, p < .001, CFI = 0.97, SRMR = 0.05. The new items also loaded highly onto the positive resilience factor. The findings generally support the relevance, reliability and validity of the modified CRI among individuals in LGBTQ relationships in Singapore. The study also extends the current understanding of couple resilience by revealing how LGBTQ couples in Singapore utilized stoicism, pragmatism and gratitude to remain resilient against stressors. This study underscores the importance of utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods in developing, modifying, and refining psychological measures.