Controversies Regarding the Psychometric Properties of the Brief COPE: The Case of the Brazilian-Portuguese Version "COPE Breve"

Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in treating women with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain: A randomized trial

This study seeks to assess the efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in enhancing coping strategies, alleviating depression, stress, pain perception, and improving the quality of life for women with endometriosis. About 52 patients randomized, categorized into an intervention group (n = 25) and a control group (n = 27) filled out the instruments. A significant positive change was observed in all variables studied within the intervention group compared to the control group. This study introduced a psychological treatment protocol focused on refining coping strategies using CBT techniques. Following the promotion of adaptive coping, there was an improvement in scores related to depression, stress, quality of life, perception of pain, and emotional distress. This suggests that CBT is effective in enhancing the overall emotional wellbeing of women with endometriosis.

Perceived stress, coping strategies, symptoms severity and function status among carpal tunnel syndrome patients: a nurse-led correlational Study

BACKGROUND

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a prevalent condition characterized by hand pain, tingling, and numbness. The severity of symptoms and functional status in CTS patients may be influenced by perceived stress and how individuals cope with it. However, scarce knowledge exists about the role of coping strategies as moderators in this relationship. Unfolding the role of perceived stress and coping strategies for CTS management will help the nurse to provide comprehensive and tailored nursing care. This will ultimately improve patient comfort, functionality, and quality of life.

PURPOSES

This study aimed to examine the role of coping strategies (adaptive and maladaptive) in the relationship between perceived stress and both symptoms severity and function status among those patients.

METHOD

We employed a multisite, correlational study design with moderation analysis. The study included 215 patients with CTS from neurosurgery outpatient clinics at three hospitals in Egypt. After obtaining their consent to participate, eligible participants completed anonymous, self-reported measures of perceived stress, the brief COPE inventory, and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. Demographic and biomedical data were also collected. The questionnaire took about 20 min to be completed. The data was collected over six months, starting in February 2023.

RESULTS

The results showed that perceived stress, adaptive coping, and maladaptive coping were significant predictors of symptoms severity and functional status. Adaptive coping moderated the relationships between perceived stress and both symptoms severity and function status, while maladaptive coping did not. The interaction between perceived stress and adaptive coping explained a moderate effect on symptoms severity and function status after controlling for the main effects and the covariates.

CONCLUSION

This study explored the relationship between perceived stress, coping strategies, and outcomes in patients with CTS. The results indicate that nurses play a vital role in assessing and assisting patients to adopt effective coping strategies to manage perceived stress and alleviate symptoms and functional impairment. Moreover, the findings support the need for psychological interventions that address both perceived stress and coping strategies as a way to enhance the functioning status and quality of life of patients with CTS.

The development of the revised COPE 68 inventory with English and Slovak versions

Introduction

Although there have been several attempts at improving the COPE Inventory, the factor structure of the instrument is still in dispute. In addition, studies have shown low reliability coefficients for some of the first-order factors, with Mental Disengagement having the lowest factor loadings. In a recent study on the external validation of the instrument, two additional first-order factors were identified in the qualitative analysis, namely Self-care and Care for Others.

Methods

Based on these arguments we created the Revised COPE 68 Inventory, changing some of the problematic items in the first order factor Mental Disengagement and adding items for the two new factors (Self-care and Care for Others). We then tested its reliability and performed factor analyses on the first and second-order factorial structure. The data were collected through social media in two languages, English and Slovak, using convenience and snowball sampling techniques. The English sample contained 834 participants with mean age 25.27  years (SD = 8.467) and the Slovak sample comprised 1,425 participants with mean age 33 years (SD = 14.59). For the statistical analyses we used Exploratory Structural Equation Model (ESEM) analyses with target rotation and WLSMV, Exploratory and second-order confirmatory factor analysis with the scores of the COPE Inventory and EFA.

Results

The Revised COPE 68 inventory had a good fit for all 17 first-order factors in both languages, including for the new factors Self-care and Care for Others. It appears that the first-order factors form a three-factor solution in both samples, consisting of active coping, social-emotional coping and avoidant coping. The revised Mental Disengagement has better psychometric properties as well.

Discussion

The Revised COPE 68 inventory was found to be a reliable multidimensional instrument for measuring various coping strategies in both the English and Slovak language versions.

Support- and meaning-focused coping as key factors for maintaining adult quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany

Introduction

During the COVID-19 pandemic, questions about both consequences and helpful strategies to maintain quality of life (QoL) have become increasingly important. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of coping factors during the COVID-19 pandemic, their associations with QoL and the moderating role of certain sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods

Analyses were based on cross-sectional self-reports from German adult participants (N = 2,137, 18-84 years, 52.1% female) of the CORONA HEALTH APP Study from July 2020 to July 2021. Multivariate regression analyses were used to predict (a) coping factors assessed with the Brief COPE and (b) QoL assessed with the WHOQOL-BREF while taking measurement time, central sociodemographic, and health characteristics into account.

Results

During the COVID-19 pandemic, German adults mostly pursued problem- and meaning-focused coping factors and showed a relatively good QoL [Mean values (M) from 57.2 to 73.6, standard deviations (SD) = 16.3-22.6], except for the social domain (M = 57.2, SD = 22.6), and with a decreasing trend over time (β from -0.06 to -0.11, ps < 0.01). Whereas, escape-avoidance coping was negatively related to all QoL domains (β = -0.35, p < 0.001 for psychological, β = -0.22, p < 0.001 for physical, β = -0.13, p = 0.045 for social, β = -0.49, p < 0.001 for environmental QoL), support- and meaning-focused coping showed positive associations with various QoL domains (β from 0.19 to 0.45, ps < 0.01). The results also suggested differences in the pursuit of coping factors as well as in the strength of associations with QoL by sociodemographic characteristics. Escape-avoidance-focused coping was negatively associated with QoL levels in older and less educated adults (simple slopes differed at ps < 0.001), in particular.

Conclusions

The results demonstrated what types of coping may be helpful to avoid QoL deterioration (i.e., support- and meaning-focused coping) and provide implications for future universal or targeted health promotion (i.e., older or less educated adults who lack social or instrumental support) and preparedness in the face of unknown challenging societal situations similar to that of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cross-sectional trends of enhanced use of escape-avoidance-focused coping and QoL deterioration point toward a need for increased attention from public health and policy.

A Comprehensive Review and Bifactor Modeling Analysis of the Brief COPE

The Brief COPE is a measure of coping strategies that contains 14 factors. The purpose of this research was twofold: (a) examine the psychometric proprieties of the Brief Cope in previous studies; and (b) perform Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) with second-order model and bifactor model specifications that could be used to assess the best model that represents the 14 coping strategies inherent to the instrument. In order to meet the first objective, a bibliographic review of published peer-reviewed studies between 1997 and 2021 was conducted. Results from the review identified 50 studies, of which 21 used exploratory factor analysis, 28 CFA and one study test-retest analysis. Seventeen studies used the entire correlated 14-factor structure. However, only 11 studies conducted a CFA. For the second objective, a sample of 472 working class individuals (female = 278) with a mean work experience of 19.06 years (SD = 11,92) were recruited. We tested several model specifications, convergent and discriminant validity analysis. We found the correlated 14-factor structure of the Brief COPE to have good psychometric properties. The second-order and bifactor model specifications displayed poor fit or did not converge, respectively. The measure showed good convergent and discriminant validity, and the subscales showed adequate internal consistency. We provide further validity and reliability of the correlated 14-factor structure, evidencing that this measure can assess coping mechanisms. Second-order model specifications need further testing and empirical evidence to support such hierarchical categorization.

Coping styles associated with depression, health anxiety and health-related quality of life in pulmonary hypertension: cross-sectional analysis

OBJECTIVES

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a life-shortening disease associated with early mortality and high morbidity. With advancements in medical treatment, people are living longer with the disease, and research is now needed to explore variables that help to enhance patient-reported outcomes. This study investigated the coping strategies of individuals with PH and examined the relationship between coping, depression, health anxiety and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey design was used.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants (n=121) were recruited from membership of Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) UK.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Participants completed a series of questionnaires assessing depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), health anxiety (Short Health Anxiety Inventory), HRQoL (emPHasis-10) and coping (Brief COPE). A principal component analysis was used to identify participants' coping profile. A series of correlational, linear and moderated multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between coping and health-related outcomes.

RESULTS

Overall, 43% participants met criteria for potential clinical depression. Depression and health anxiety were strongly associated with HRQoL, explaining 37% and 30% of variance respectively (p<0.001). A principal component analysis identified a four-component model of coping. Dimensions were named based on construct items: 'cognitive and affirmation coping' (seven items), 'passive coping' (four items), 'external coping' (seven items) and 'substance use coping' (two items). Cognitive and affirmation and external coping moderated the relationship between depression and HRQoL, with high use of these coping strategies reducing the impact of depression on HRQoL. External coping also moderated the effect of health anxiety on HRQoL.

CONCLUSIONS

The results uniquely highlight the importance of coping styles and psychological distress in predicting HRQoL in PH. Our findings indicate the importance to assess for psychological distress in this population and suggest the need to offer psychological interventions that take into account coping resources and strategies.

Validation of the Sinhalese Version of Brief COPE Scale for patients with cancer in Sri Lanka

Background

Coping strategies play a vital role in cancer management and has been an integral part in the recovery process of cancer patients worldwide. Coping refers to specific efforts; both behavioral and psychological, that diminishes stresses emerged in cancer patients. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Sinhalese version of the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (S-BC) which was developed based on the Brief COPE scale  for cancer patients in Sri Lanka.

Methods

The original Brief COPE is a self-administered tool with 28 items designed to measure coping methods used by people in stressful life events. It consisted of statements related to adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies. Forty patients with cancer who were registered at the Oncology ward, Teaching Hospital, Galle, Sri Lanka were included in the study. A cross-cultural adaptation of the Brief COPE was done using WHO guidelines. Reliability of the S-BC was assessed using test–retest and internal consistency procedures. The construct validity of the tool was assessed by performing exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Convergent and discriminant validity of the S-BC was tested using World Health Organization-Quality of Life-Brief scale (WHOQOL-BREF) and Centre for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D).

Results

The mean (± SD) age of the sample was 61(± 12) years, and 52.5% (n = 21) of the participants were men. Eighty percent (n = 32) of the participants were more than one year of treatment from diagnosing as a cancer patient. The test–retest reliability of the S-BC was 0.66, and the internal consistency of the S-BC was good (Cronbach’s alpha - 0.819). Both EFA and CFA revealed a structure comprised of seven factors. Such factors were Avoidance/Behavioral disengagement, Religious faith/Acceptance, Seeking support, Planning, Substance use/Venting, Self-blame and Active/positive coping. The scores of the adaptive coping of the S-BC was negatively and the scores of the maladaptive coping of the S-BC was positively correlated with the CES-D score.   The scores of the adaptive coping of the S-BC was  positively correlated with the total score of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire indicating the S-BC’s convergent and discriminant validity properties.

Conclusion

The Sinhalese version of the Brief COPE is found to be a valid and a reliable measure to assess coping strategies used by  patients with cancer in Sri Lanka.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-022-00863-z.

Coping Strategies and Life Satisfaction among Romanian Emerging Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The aim of the present study was to understand coping mechanisms among Romanian youth in their response to institutional COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Data were collected from emerging adults (N = 214), aged 18–29, enrolled in various fields of study throughout a public university in Romania. Adopted versions of the Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences Scale (Brief-COPE, Carver, 1997) and Satisfaction with Life Scales (SLWS, Diener et al., 1985) were administered to explore the impact of the specific social distancing and isolation enforced pandemic restrictions. Findings elucidate the response styles, impact of coping skills, and strategies employed by students toward their well-being during stay-at-home courses. Results indicated that Romanian emerging-adults tend to use diverse strategies, but they use more disengagement, problem-focused coping, humor, socially supportive coping or religion, rather than denial, avoidant-focused coping or substance use, when faced with unprecedented situations during the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss these findings framed in resilience as it relates to the positive youth psychology framework.

The food allergy COPE inventory: Adaptation and psychometric properties

Background

Food allergy (FA) has been shown to have an adverse impact on food allergy quality of life (FAQL). To more fully understand this impact, correlates and predictors of FAQL must be reliably measured. Coping is one such factor. In the present study (n = 200), we sought to adapt the widely used Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory and its 15 distinct strategies to food allergy, named FA-COPE Inventory. More specifically, we propose a long (60-item) and short (30-item) version of the measure.

Methods

To examine the robustness of the newly adapted FA-COPE Inventory, we tested whether the 15-factor structure of the adapted version would present good psychometrical properties, using gold standard psychometric techniques. We used Confirmatory Factor Analysis to assess model fit, McDonald's omega, and inter-item correlations to assess reliability, and Pearson's correlation to assess convergent validity with a generic coping measure and satisfaction with FA life.

Results

Our results showed a good model fit (eg, CFI and TLI ≥ .94) for the 15-factor structure of the measure's long and short version. These factors also presented reliability levels aligned with the coping literature. Finally, the majority of the FA-COPE Inventory factors (eg, acceptance) were significantly associated with the generic coping measure and satisfaction with FA life.

Conclusion

Both the long and short adapted FA-COPE Inventory showed a good fit to food allergy issues. These measures can help facilitate the identification of the most commonly used strategies to deal with FA. Their use can lead to a more in-depth understanding of the impact of the coping strategies and how they can help improve the quality of life of those impacted by the disease.

Effects of flower essences on nursing students' stress symptoms: a randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effects of flower essence bouquets on the signs and symptoms of stress in nursing students.

METHOD

Randomized clinical trial, triple blind, with two groups, flower essence group and placebo group, carried out with 101 nursing students. The groups used the formula for 60 days at a dosage of 4 drops 4 times a day. The outcome was evaluated using the Baccaro Test and the Perceived Stress Scale applied at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. The outcome analysis was performed using the mixed effects model, with 〈 = 5% and the effect size verified by the Cohen's d test.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the groups in stress reduction (p > 0.05). Both groups showed a reduction in scale scores (p < 0.001) with large effect size. There was an influence of the COVID-19 pandemic in the reduction of Baccaro Test scores.

CONCLUSION

The intervention with flower essence therapy was not more effective than placebo in reducing stress signs and symptoms. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: UTN U1111-1257-5715.

Psychometric properties of brief-COPE inventory among nurses

Objective

Brief-COPE inventory is widely used to assess coping; however, validation evidence is absent and previous results were inconsistent. This study aimed to validate psychometric properties of this inventory to ensure culturally appropriate usage.

Methods

Preliminary validation study on 423 female nurses from the United Arab Emirates. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with maximum likelihood estimation was computed to test four different previous models. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) protocol was used to determine underlying domain structure of Brief-COPE in this population.

Results

The four previous models on CFA had inadequate fit indexes. Two-factor (22-items) second-order model that explained 37.0% of the total variance with Cronbach’s alpha at 0.81 and 0.88, respectively, was suggested.

Conclusion

This validation of Brief-COPE is timely considering nurses enduring different types of stressors. In addition, cultural diversity needs to be considered in coping research. Re-assessment of this exploratory structure is necessary to ensure accurate measurement of coping strategies.

The Factor Structure of the Brief Cope: A Systematic Review

The Brief COPE is a widely used measure of coping that contains 28 items on 14 factors. Researchers have shortened the inventory, but the factor structure remains debated. A systematic review of peer-reviewed studies published in English between 1997 and 2021 was conducted to determine if a more parsimonious number of factors could be identified. Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Medline, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched using keywords "Brief COPE" and "factor, valid*, or psychometric.*" Searching yielded 573 articles; cited references added 38; 85 articles met inclusion criteria. Principal components analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were major analytic strategies used (28% and 27%, respectively). Only eight studies analyzed the original 14-factor structure. Factors identified ranged from 2 to 15, with dichotomous factors most frequently identified (25%; n = 21). A smaller number of factors may be able to represent the Brief COPE. Research is needed to test a condensed instrument.

The Moderating Role of Coping Mechanisms and Being an e-Sport Player Between Psychiatric Symptoms and Gaming Disorder: Online Survey

BACKGROUND

The emerging popularity of playing video games (gaming) as a hobby and as a professional sport raises awareness about both the benefits and possible downsides of the activity. Although a healthy and passionate hobby for most, a minority of gamers experience addiction-like symptoms and are considered to have gaming disorder (GD). GD has previously been found to be related to aversive conditions, such as depression or anxiety, as well as putatively maladaptive coping strategies.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is twofold: to explore the moderating effect of different coping strategies and type of video game usage (professional [e-sport] or recreational) on the relationship between psychiatric symptoms and GD.

METHODS

A sample of 3476 gamers (n=3133, 90.13% males; mean age 23.20, SD 6.48 years) was recruited via the website and social networking site of the most popular gaming magazine in Hungary (GameStar).

RESULTS

The main effect of psychiatric symptoms was moderate to large in all models, whereas the moderation effects were significant (P<.001) for 4 out of 8 coping strategies (ie, self-blame/self-distraction, denial, emotional/social support, and active coping). However, the explained variance of the models only increased negligibly (from 0.3% to 0.5%) owing to the moderation effect. The direction of the moderations was as expected (ie, putatively maladaptive strategies were associated with more GD symptoms when the level of psychiatric symptoms was high, while putatively adaptive strategies were associated with less). Furthermore, no considerable moderation effect of the player type (recreational vs professional players) was found on the association between psychiatric symptoms and GD (β=.04; P=.02; 0.1% change in the explained variance).

CONCLUSIONS

Future studies should be designed to better understand coping-related mechanisms in the context of video gaming and GD.

The Brief COPE: Measurement Invariance and Psychometric Properties among Community and At-Risk Portuguese Parents

Parenting generally brings about high internal and external demands, which can be perceived as stressful when they exceed families’ resources. When faced with such stressors, parents need to deploy several adaptive strategies to successfully overcome these challenges. One of such strategies is coping, an important cognitive and behavioural skill. In this study, we intended to examine the psychometric properties of Carver’s (1997) Brief COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced), extending its cross-cultural validity among a Portuguese sample of community and at-risk parents. The sample comprised community (n = 153) and at-risk (n = 116) parents who completed the brief COPE, the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales and the Parenting Stress Index—Short Form. Confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, cross sample invariance, convergent and discriminant validity were analysed. Data from the confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the 14-factor model obtained the best fit. The results provided evidence that the Brief COPE is a psychometrically sound instrument that shows measurement invariance across samples and good reliability. Our findings demonstrated that the Portuguese version of brief COPE is a useful, time-efficient tool for both practitioners and researchers who need to assess coping strategies, a relevant construct in family context.

Association of Structural and Functional Cardiac Changes With Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Outcomes in Patients With Aortic Stenosis

Importance

Severe aortic stenosis causes pressure overload of the left ventricle, resulting in progressive cardiac dysfunction that can extend beyond the left ventricle. A staging system for aortic stenosis has been recently proposed that quantifies the extent of structural and functional cardiac changes in aortic stenosis.

Objectives

To confirm the reproducibility of a proposed staging system and expand the study findings by performing a survival analysis and to evaluate the association of aortic stenosis staging with both cardiac and noncardiac post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) readmissions.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A cohort analysis was conducted involving patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center between July 1, 2011, and January 31, 2017. Patients who had undergone TAVR for valve-in-valve procedures and had an incomplete or unavailable baseline echocardiogram study for review were excluded. Clinical, laboratorial, and procedural data were collected from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database and augmented by electronic medical record review.

Exposures

The aortic stenosis staging system is based on echocardiographic markers of abnormal cardiac function. The stages are as follows: stage 1 (left ventricle changes - increased left ventricular mass index; early mitral inflow to early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E/e') >14; and left ventricular ejection fraction <50%), stage 2 (left atrial or mitral changes - left atrial volume index >34 mL/m2; moderate to severe mitral regurgitation; and atrial fibrillation), stage 3 (pulmonary artery or tricuspid changes - pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≥60 mm Hg; moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation), and stage 4 (right ventricle changes - moderate to severe right ventricle dysfunction).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcome was post-TAVR all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were composite outcomes of all-cause mortality and post-TAVR all-cause and cardiac-cause readmissions.

Results

A total of 689 consecutive patients (351 [50.9%] were male, with a mean [SD] age of 82.4 [7.6] years) were included. The prevalence of stage 1 was 13%; stage 2, 62%; stage 3, 21%; and stage 4, 4%. Patients with higher staging had a greater burden of comorbidities as captured by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality (STS-PROM). Despite adjustment for STS-PROM, a graded association was found between aortic stenosis staging and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] stage 2 vs stage 1: 1.37 [95% CI, 0.81-2.31; P = .25]; stage 3 vs stage 1: 2.24 [95% CI, 1.28-3.92; P = .005]; and stage 4 vs stage 1: 2.83 [95% CI, 1.39-5.76; P = .004]). Stage 3 patients had higher post-TAVR readmission rates for both cardiac (HR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.13-3.00; P = .01) and noncardiac causes.

Conclusions and Relevance

Aortic stenosis staging appears to show a strong graded association between the extent of cardiac changes and post-TAVR all-cause mortality; such staging may improve patient care, risk stratification, assessment of prognosis, and shared decision making for patients undergoing TAVR.

Coping Strategies Used by Breast, Prostate, and Colorectal Cancer Survivors: A Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Individual coping strategies are a fundamental element underpinning psychosocial distress.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe coping strategies and their measurement used by survivors of breast, prostate, and/or colorectal cancer after treatment.

METHODS

A search of electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) was conducted from January 1980 to March 2015. Data were extracted using standardized forms and included studies that explored the coping mechanisms of survivorship of breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer.

RESULTS

Two thousand one hundred forty-seven studies were retrieved for potential inclusion; 19 publications met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review.

CONCLUSIONS

Breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer survivors seem to use different coping strategies that varied throughout the survivorship trajectory. Breast cancer survivors highlighted the importance of accepting their diagnosis and engaging in physical activities that provided social and emotional support. Personality seemed to have a significant effect on coping for prostate cancer survivors. Colorectal cancer survivors emphasized the importance of seeking information to master self-management and return to social activities.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Understanding coping strategies, during the survivorship trajectories, is essential to planning contemporary care after cancer treatment. Nurses and other healthcare professionals may use this knowledge to improve quality of life and decrease distress after diagnosis.

Psychometric parameters of the Persian version of the BriefCOPE among wives of patients under hemodialysis

Background: The Brief COPE is widely validated and popularly used in assessing coping strategies in major life stressors on various populations. This study carried out to determine the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Brief COPE among wives of patients under hemodialysis. Methods: The Brief COPE was translated into Persian language according to the standard method and the psychometric properties of the instrument were assessed among 212 wives of patients under hemodialysis in Tehran, Iran, in 2016. Content validity was established, by 15 expert opinions. Face validity was determined by respondents and expert opinion. Construct validity was analyzed through confirmatory factor analysis. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient were used to determine the internal consistency and test-retest reliability, respectively. Results: All 28 Items of Brief COPE scale had content validity index greater than 0.7, suggesting a good validity value of the items in terms of relevancy (range 0.8 - 0.94). The wording of some items was modified to make them more readily understood by the participants, although the core meaning of each item was kept intact and to observe Iranian cultural adaptation; two items were adjusted. Result of confirmatory factor support 14 factor structure of the scale has good fit. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was acceptable for the total scale (α= 0.77) and for subscales (range 0.7 - 0.91). The intraclass correlation coefficient was acceptable for scale (r=0.76, P value= 0.001). Conclusion: The Persian translation of the Brief COPE is a valid and reliable instrument to determine coping strategies in women living with the husband on hemodialysis.

Assessment of coping: a new french four-factor structure of the brief COPE inventory

BACKGROUND

The Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief COPE) inventory is the most usual measure to identify the nature of coping strategies implemented by individuals and explore 14 coping strategies. The availability of a structure with fewer factors rather than the initial 14-factor structure may be of interest for both healthcare professionals and researchers. We report the validation process of a 4-factor structure of the French version of the Brief COPE in a French sample of individuals facing a singular life event, such as cancer, including patients and their caregivers.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study included cancer patients and their caregivers. Self-administered data were collected including: socio-demographic (age, gender, marital status, employment status, and education level), coping strategies using the French version of the Brief COPE, quality of life (QoL) using the French version of the short form health survey questionnaire (SF36). Construct validity, internal consistency, reliability, and external validity were tested.

RESULTS

The sample included 398 individuals. The principal component factor analysis identified a 4-factor structure. The dimensions were labeled according to their constitutive items: social support (8 items), problem solving (4), avoidance (10), and positive thinking (6). The 4-factor structure was supported by different theoretical models of coping and showed satisfactory psychometric properties.

CONCLUSION

The 4-factor structure of the French version of the Brief COPE, validated in a sample of individuals facing a singular stressful event, including cancer patients and their caregivers, makes the instrument easier to use both in clinical practice and clinical research.