Effective and Ineffective Coping Strategies: Psychometric Properties of a Reduced Version of Brief-Cope for Heart Patients

Abstract

Negative emotions (like anxiety or depression) have been linked to the onset and development of coronary heart diseases (CHD). Recent research has also shown that the way to deal with these diseases is also a powerful predictor of their prognosis. Moreover, many studies have found that the way in which people face situations is one of the factors that have more influence on their emotional state. Therefore promote an effective coping in these patients is very important to achieve a favorable prognosis. There are valid and reliable measures of coping, but with a large number of items. Therefore the aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of a reduced version of 14 items derived from Brief-COPE (Carver, 1997). One hundred and fifty three patients (85% male; mean age=54.7; SD=8.8) who have just suffered a first cardiac event reported coping strategies used and different emotions experienced both at Time 1 and 2 (8 weeks later). Exploratory factor analysis yields two factors. The first, which accounted for 18.4% of variance, included the effective strategies (active coping, planning, positive reappraisal, acceptance, humor, instrumental social support and distraction). The second (16,7%) was formed by the ineffective strategies (denial, disengagement, substance abuse, venting, self-blame, emotional social support and religion). Subscales derived from these factors reached acceptable internal consistency and high test-retest coefficients. Likewise, effective and ineffective coping showed significant positive correlations with positive and negative affect respectively. It is concluded that this questionnaire can be used with full warranty in cardiac patients.

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Author Information
Pilar Sanjuán, Universdiad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Spain
Alejandro Magallares, Universdiad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Spain
María Ávila, Universdiad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Spain
Henar Arranz, Hospital Universitario La Paz-Cantoblanco, Spain

• Category: ECP2016, ECS2 2016, ECS2 2016 Posters, Paper Available, Poster Presentation
• Tag: Qualitative/Quantitative Research in any other area of Psychology

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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