Background and Aim: 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.
Results: 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).
Conclusion: 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.