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Investigation into the psychometric properties of the Brief Religious Coping Scale (Brief RCOPE) in adults with substance use disorder

  • 0Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, 3711 USF Citrus Drive, Tampa, FL 33620, United States.
Addictive Behaviors +

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December 12, 2025

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December 12, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study validates the Brief Religious Coping Scale (Brief RCOPE) for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD). Findings confirm its reliability and validity in assessing positive and negative religious coping, aiding clinical understanding of spiritual experiences in recovery.

Area Of Science

  • Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Addiction Research

Background

  • Religious coping is frequently utilized during difficult life periods and linked to health outcomes.
  • The Brief Religious Coping Scale (Brief RCOPE) is a common measure, but its psychometric properties require further investigation.
  • Limited research exists on religious coping within substance use disorder (SUD) populations, despite SUD's association with significant stressors.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brief RCOPE in adults undergoing residential treatment for SUD.
  • To confirm the two-factor structure (positive and negative religious coping) and measurement invariance of the scale.
  • To establish the validity of the Brief RCOPE through its associations with psychosocial outcomes.

Main Methods

  • Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on data from 1290 adults in residential SUD treatment.
  • Measurement invariance was tested across sex and time.
  • The scale's validity was assessed by examining its relationship with various psychosocial outcomes pre- and post-treatment.

Main Results

  • Confirmatory factor analyses supported the hypothesized two-factor structure of positive religious coping (PRC) and negative religious coping (NRC).
  • The Brief RCOPE demonstrated measurement invariance across sex and time.
  • Significant associations between PRC and NRC and psychosocial outcomes provided evidence of validity.

Conclusions

  • The Brief RCOPE is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing religious coping in adults with SUD.
  • The scale's robust psychometric performance supports its utility in clinical settings.
  • Findings suggest the Brief RCOPE can help clinicians understand and address patients' spiritual experiences during recovery.

Keywords:

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