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. 2023 Feb;54(1):76-83.
doi: 10.1007/s10578-021-01226-2. Epub 2021 Aug 6.

Evaluating the KidCOPE for Children in Active Duty Military Families

Stephanie M Ernestus  1   2 , Ruth Ellingsen  3   4 , Kristin Gray  3 , Hilary Aralis  3   5 , Patricia Lester  3 , Norweeta G Milburn  3
Affiliations

Evaluating the KidCOPE for Children in Active Duty Military Families

Stephanie M Ernestus et al. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2023 Feb.

Abstract

The KidCOPE is a widely used measure designed to examine how children cope in the face of stressful events. The current study aimed to replicate the factor structure of the KidCOPE found in four prior studies. KidCOPE responses from children of military families (2256 children, ages 7-12 years, 47.9% female, Age M = 8.90, SD = 1.62) enrolled in the Families OverComing Under Stress (FOCUS) at baseline were used. No prior factor structure could be replicated. The sample was then split, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. A 2-factor model including factors for generally positive and negative coping was identified; but not confirmed. Overall, this study supports prior research suggesting limitations of the KidCOPE as a valid measure of coping style.

Keywords: Coping; KidCOPE; Military families; Replication.

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