Cross-cultural validation and psychometric properties of the Arabic Brief COPE in Saudi population

Abstract

Introduction: Coping strategies for stress tend to vary in different cultural. The Brief COPE (BC) is the most commonly used self-report instrument to identify the types of coping strategies used which has a total of 14 strategies with 28 items. The aim of this study was to translate into Arabic and validate the Brief COPE scale in the Saudi Arabian population.

Methods: A cross-sectional method was used to assess the reliability, validity, and cultural appropriateness of the Arabic version of the Brief COPE (A-BC) among 302 males and females (33.8% females).

Results: The test-retest reliability was strong at 0.8, and the principal component factor analysis yielded a 3-factor structure, namely 'active coping', 'passive coping', and 'support-seeking', with Composite Reliability scores of 0.84, 0.75, and 0.81 respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated an acceptable factors structure.

Conclusion: The 3-factor structure of the A-BC was found to be a valid and reliable instrument among the Saudi population. This makes the scale useful in both clinical practice and clinical research.