Development and validation of the psychological stability scale for special operations personnel in China

Introduction: Special operations personnel are consistently exposed to high-stress, high-risk, and hazardous occupational environments due to the unique operational demands. To effectively cope with these stresses and ensure successful task execution, high levels of psychological stability are required of them. However, specific assessment tools are lacking to evaluate the psychological stability of special operations personnel. Based on grounded theory, this study proposed a theoretical model of psychological stability among special operations personnel and developed a corresponding measurement scale. Methods: A mixed-methods approach integrating both qualitative and quantitative research was adopted across three studies. Study 1 included in-depth interviews conducted with 30 special operations personnel. Grounded theory was applied to analyze the dimensions of psychological stability, and the Delphi consensus was used to determine the specific connotation of each dimension of psychological stability. Study 2 focused on developing and refining the scale through content validity analysis, item analysis, item-total correlation analysis and exploratory factor analysis. Study 3 validated the scale using confirmatory factor analysis and conducted reliability and validity testing. Results: Study 1 identified seven dimensions of psychological stability, including self-confidence, conscientiousness, equanimity, rationality, disturbance tolerance, stress tolerance, and frustration tolerance. In Study 2, a 29-item psychological stability scale (PSS) with five dimensions was developed, including self-confidence, conscientiousness, equanimity and rationality, disturbance tolerance, stress and frustration tolerance. Study 3 demonstrated that the scale exhibited strong reliability and validity across different samples. Discussion: This study innovatively revealed the dimensions of psychological stability in special operations personnel and developed a valid and reliable measurement tool.