Examination of the Hierarchical Structure of the Brief COPE in a French Sample: Empirical and Theoretical Convergences

Julie Doron (1, 2) , Raphaël Trouillet (1) , Gana Kamel (3) , Julie Boiché (1) , Dorine Neveu (4) , Gregory Ninot (1)

1 EPSYLON - Dynamique des capacités humaines et des conduites de santé
2 LIRTES - Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur les Transformations des pratiques Éducatives et des pratiques Sociales
3 Département de psychologie
4 Pathogénèse et contrôle des infections chroniques (PCCI)

This study aimed to determine whether the various factors of coping as measured by the Brief COPE could be integrated into amore parsimonious hierarchical structure. To identify a higher structure for the Brief COPE, several measurement models based on prior theoretical and hierarchical conceptions of coping were tested. First, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results revealed that the Brief COPE’s 14 original factors could be represented more parsimoniously with 5 higher order dimensions: problem-solving, support-seeking, avoidance, cognitive restructuring, and distraction (N = 2,187). Measurement invariance across gender was also shown. Second, results provided strong support for the cross-validation and the concurrent validity of the hierarchical structure of the Brief COPE (N = 584). Results indicated statistically significant correlations between Brief COPE factors and trait anxiety and perceived stress. Limitations and theoretical and methodological implications of these results are discussed.

Mots clés: Psychology; Stress

Domaines: Sport; Sciences cognitives du sport; Psychologie

Julie Doron, Raphaël Trouillet, Gana Kamel, Julie Boiché, Dorine Neveu, et al.. Examination of the Hierarchical Structure of the Brief COPE in a French Sample: Empirical and Theoretical Convergences. Journal of Personality Assessment, 2014, 96 (5), pp.567-575. ⟨10.1080/00223891.2014.886255⟩. ⟨hal-01579264⟩