The factor structure of coping strategies in hemophilia

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the factor structure of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ). In order to find factors that are reproducible across samples and to evaluate their relationship to pain, disability, and depressive mood, the subjects used were a group of 224 patients with congenital coagulation defects. Factor analysis identified 4 factors in the Coping Strategies Questionnaire that could be categorized as Distraction, Pain Control, Reinterpreting Pain Sensations, and Catastrophizing. There were positive correlations between pain and Catastrophizing (p < 0.005) and between disability and Catastrophizing (p < 0.005). There was also a relationship between Catastrophizing and emotional well-being indicating that the lower the feeling of well-being, the greater the use of Catastrophizing strategies. The present results confirm that a 4- to 5-factor solution gives reasonable reproducibility across samples and methods.