# How demoralization is related to trait resilience factors: a network analysis in a representative sample of the general population

## TL;DR

This study explores how demoralization relates to resilience traits like self-efficacy and locus of control in a general population sample.

## Contribution

The study introduces a network analysis approach to examine the unique associations between demoralization and resilience factors.

## Key findings

- Demoralization was moderately linked to lower internal locus of control but not directly to resilience or self-efficacy.
- Depression symptoms showed connections to resilience and self-efficacy but not to locus of control.
- The findings support the distinctiveness of demoralization as a construct separate from depression and anxiety.

## Abstract

Demoralization refers to a mental state of poor coping characterized by a loss of purpose and meaning, feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, and suicidal ideation. The revised demoralization scale (DS-II) is among the most frequently used self-report measures. Recently, the psychometric properties and normative values of the DS-II-Ms (Münster version of the DS-II) were published, alongside a validation study linking it to depression and anxiety in the general population. This study investigates the relationship between DS-II-Ms scores and resilience, as well as well-validated trait resilience factors, specifically locus of control and general self-efficacy, using a network psychometrics approach.

DS-II-Ms, Patient Health Questionnaire 2 (PHQ-2), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 2 (GAD-2), Internal-External Locus of Control Short Scale-4 (IE4), General Self-Efficacy Short Scale-3 (GSE-3) and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) were applied to a representative sample (N = 2401) of the German general population. A gaussian graphical model was estimated using a non-regularized algorithm to depict the unique connections between the measures.

DS-II-Ms was moderately associated with lower internal (and higher external) locus of control while being conditionally independent from BRS and GSE-3. Conversely, depression symptoms lack of interest/low mood were connected to resilience and general self-efficacy but conditionally independent from locus of control.

Although the cross-sectional study design limits directional interpretation, our findings indicate that trait resilience measures have unique associations with demoralization and depression/anxiety symptoms, supporting the discriminant validity of the demoralization construct. Depressed and demoralized individuals might benefit from different therapeutical approaches, targeting specific resilience factors.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-025-07487-8.