Evaluation of Factor Structure of the Persian Scale of Coping With Carver Shortened Stress

Coping with stress is one of the most important research areas in health psychology. Researching in this regard requires a tool with strong psychometric properties and validation in Iranian culture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the most commonly used short-scale factor structure, the Carver’s Brief Cope.

Methods & Materials: 

This study was a cross-sectional and methodological study of test type. The statistical population consisted of all students studying at Birjand University in 1977-98. Sampling was available by the method. The condition for entry into the study was the experience of a stressor for at least 6 months. After receiving a medium or high score on the perceived stress level, 629 students completed the 28-question form. Data was analyzed using SPSS V. 15 and laser software V. 8.8. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to determine the factor structure of the questionnaire. A confirmatory factor analysis was used to confirming the factors. Reliability was established through retesting and internal consistency.

Ethical Considerations:

 This study is part of a PhD. thesis, registered (Code: IR.UM.REC. 3/50099) at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Before entering the study, an informed consent was obtained from the subjects.

 After confirming the face and content validity quantitatively and qualitatively, the exploratory factor analysis results after varimax rotation showed 55.139% of the total variance explained by the first eight factors with a higher than one specific value. However, in confirmatory factor analysis, the first two factors, 4 and 7, were omitted due to insufficient power to explain the present variables. Finally, the goodness-of-fit indices of the RMFIA, PFI, GFI, IFI, IFI, CFI, AGFI confirmed the fit of the six-factor structure with the data. Reliability of the instrument was also confirmed by internal consistency (α=0.73) and test-retest reliability (r=0.59).

 The highly abbreviated 6-item form of Carver’s Brief Cope showed good validity and reliability in the student sample and can be used in health psychology studies.