Factor structure of the revised Jalowiec Coping Scale in patients admitted for elective coronary angiography

The way patients cope with their illness may influence their well-being, and for the assessment of coping relevant and valid instruments are required. The objective of the present study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the frequently used Jalowiec Coping Scale (JCS) in patients admitted for elective coronary angiography. We examined the original eight-factor model of the 60-item revised JCS and two three-factor models later proposed in the literature.

Using a cross-sectional design the JCS was completed by outpatients with suspected coronary artery disease 1-4 days prior to angiography. Item analyses and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for each model were performed, for those among the 647 participating patients that completed at least half the questions in the JCS. Exploratory post hoc analyses based on modification indices were performed in the case of unsatisfactory model fit.

Neither of the proposed structures had satisfactory fit without modifications allowing some items to load on more than one factor. However, one of the two three-factor models performed well in item analysis and the CFA performed mostly satisfactory after some modifications.

As for most coping scales reported in the literature, the CFA in the present study showed problems with all three proposed models of the JCS. Despite these problems one of the models may be used with caution. Further improvement of the quality of coping instruments, including CFA based on large samples is recommended.