Coping Strategies Among Undergraduates: Spanish Adaptation and Validation of the Brief-COPE Inventory

Abstract

Purpose

Different studies have highlighted the importance of coping strategies in stressful situations. The Coping Orientation to Problem Experienced (COPE) by Carver et al is one of the instruments that is frequently used for measuring this aspect. The aim of this study was to carry out the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Brief-COPE inventory to measure coping strategies in Spanish populations.

Methods

The linguistic and cultural adaptation of the Brief-COPE was carried out using the back-translation method and, after considering the results of the pilot test, the Spanish version of the instrument was configured, and subsequently administered to a convenient sample of 2135 undergraduates. A confirmatory factor analysis was carried out to examine construct validity of the Spanish adaptation of the brief-COPE; likewise, reliability was analyzed from two approaches, internal consistency and composite reliability. Concurrent validity was also tested.

Results

The results showed that the Spanish version of Brief-COPE has adequate reliability values, as well as satisfactory fit indexes for the proposed 14-factor first-order structural model. Likewise, external evidence of the validity of the inventory with the variables perceived stress, level of satisfaction with life, and academic performance is provided.

Conclusion

The results suggest that this instrument presents a satisfactory metric quality and, therefore, it could be useful to evaluate coping strategies, which would allow further research on its incidence and consequences on health and psychological functioning.

Keywords:

• coping strategies
• psychometric properties
• Spanish adaptation
• validation

Abbreviations

COPE, Coping Orientation to Problem Experienced; SD, standard deviation; α, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient; ω, McDonald’s omega coefficient; CFA, confirmatory factor analysis; S-Bχ², Satorra–Bentler Chi-squared; p, p-value; df, degree of freedom; CFI, comparative fit index; GFI, goodness-of-fit index; SRMR, standardized root mean squared residual; RMSEA, root mean squared error of approximation; CI, confidence interval; GPA, grade point average; CEIH, Comité de ética en Investigación Humana; WLS, weighted least squares; CRI, composite reliability index; AVE, average variance extracted; r, Pearson correlation coefficient; U, Mann–Whitney test; d, Cohen’s d; M, mean; SK, skewness; KU, kurtosis; S-W, Shapiro–Wilk statistic; FL, factor loading; SE, standard error; EFA, exploratory factor analysis; KMO, Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin; NE, not estimated.

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

This study was performed in compliance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki on Ethical Principles for medical research involving human subjects and was approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Granada (1400/CEIH/2020). Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Consent to Publication

The participant has consented to the submission of the case report to the journal.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the participants. Finally, we want to express our gratitude to Faculty of Education (University of Granada) for their continuous support.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.