Adaptation and Validation of the Disaster Adaptation and Resilience Scale (DARS) in Turkish Adults: A Psychometric Tool for Disaster Preparedness and Public Health Response

Disasters significantly challenge societal resilience, individual psychological health, and sustainable development. This study aimed to culturally adapt the Disaster Adaptation and Resilience Scale (DARS) into Turkish and evaluate its psychometric properties for use in Türkiye. Participants (N = 335) aged 18 and older who had experienced a disaster in the past 5 years completed the Turkish version of the DARS following rigorous translation and expert review procedures. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a 5-factor structure: Problem-Solving, Optimism, Stress Management, Social Resources, and Physical Resources, accounting for 61.3% of the total variance. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.910), with subscale values ranging from 0.785 to 0.901. Test-retest reliability and discriminant validity were also established. The Turkish DARS is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating disaster-related adaptation and resilience. Its implementation supports sustainable mental health responses and community preparedness in disaster-prone regions.