The purpose of this study was to begin developing and validating an instrument to measure self-trust in adults. Brown’s (2015, 2017, 2018, 2021) model of self-trust served as the theoretical framework and Crocker and Algina’s (2008) application of classical test theory guided this instrument development process. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine factor structure. Evidence of reliability and validity were explored. A confirmatory factor analysis performed on the sample (n = 261) revealed that the five-factors from the exploratory factor analysis demonstrated a largely adequate fit to the data, and likelihood ratio tests indicated that the five-factor model provided the best fit to the data compared to a three-factor and four-factor model. The five factors consisted of 26 items that appeared to capture the variables of Reliability-Accountability (RA), Vault (V), Integrity (I), Nonjudgement (N), and Generosity (G). The RA-VING Self-Trust Instrument (RSTI) demonstrated excellent internal consistency according to Cronbach’s alphas and generally acceptable internal consistency according to inter-item correlations. Convergent and discriminant validity of the RSTI was adequate at the factor-level. Implications and recommendations for practitioners, counselor development, and research are provided.
