Development and validation of a brief Occupational Coping Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Nurses.
OBJECTIVE
This paper is a report of a study to develop and test the psychometric properties of the Occupational Coping Self-Efficacy for Nurses Scale.


BACKGROUND
Coping self-efficacy beliefs are defined as self-appraisals of capabilities to cope with environmental demands. People with higher levels of coping self-efficacy beliefs tend to approach challenging situations in an active and persistent way, whereas those with lower levels of coping self-efficacy beliefs tend to direct greater energy to managing increasing emotional distress.


METHODS
In 2006, 1383 nurses completed the following measures: Occupational Coping Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Nurses, Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations Short Form and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Based on a randomized split of the data, we conducted exploratory factor analysis on group 1 data (n = 691) and confirmatory factor analysis within the framework of structural equation modelling on group 2 data (n = 692).


RESULTS
The exploratory results revealed two factors: Coping Self-Efficacy to cope with the occupational burden (Cronbach alpha = 0.77) and Coping Self-Efficacy to cope with the relational burden (alpha = 0.79). In the confirmatory group, the two-factor structure was tested against an alternative one-factor structure and confirmed as the best solution. Correlation patterns between the Occupational Coping Self-Efficacy for Nurses Scales, and both coping and burnout variables, supported the criterion-related validity of the Occupational Coping Self-Efficacy for Nurses dimensions.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses can have two basic and distinct coping self-efficacy beliefs: beliefs about occupational burden and beliefs about relational difficulties in the workplace. Research is needed into how efficacy evaluations shift as a result of specific stress management interventions.
Pisanti
Renato
R
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Sapieza University of Rome, Italy. renato.pisanti@uniroma1.it
Lombardo
Caterina
C
Lucidi
Fabio
F
Lazzari
David
D
Bertini
Mario
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000523:psychology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*