[1][2] The PCQ was constructed by Fred Luthans, Bruce J. Avolio, and James B. Avey with the goal to assess the dimensions of PsyCap.
Note: The term "PsyCap" refers to the whole of four specific constructs: hope, efficacy, resiliency, and optimism.
Defined by Luthans and Carolyn M. Youssef, PsyCap is "an individual's positive psychological state of development and is characterized by: (1) having confidence (self-efficacy) to take on and put in the necessary effort to succeed at challenging tasks; (2) making a positive attribution (optimism) about succeeding now and in the future; (3) persevering towards goals and, when necessary, redirecting paths to goals (hope) in order to succeed; and (4) when beset by problems and adversity, sustaining and bouncing back and even beyond (resilience) to attain success" (Luthans, Youssef, & Avolio, 2007, p. 3).
PsyCap was conceptualized as a result of growing literature around positive organizational behavior (POB), or "the study and application of positive oriented human resource strengths and psychological capacities that can be measured, developed, and effectively managed for performance improvement" (Luthans, 2002, p. 59).
[19] Resilient people tend to have a resolute acceptance of reality, a deep belief that life is meaningful, and an ability to improvise and adapt to change.
Efficacy: This six-item scale measures an individual's ability to have confidence to take on and put in the necessary effort to succeed at challenging tasks.
Resilience: This six-item scale measures an individual's ability to sustain and bounce back when beset by problems and adversity to attain success.
Optimism: This six-item scale measures an individual's ability to make a positive attribution and expectation about succeeding now and in the future.