title: The coping flexibility questionnaire: development and initial validation in patients with chronic rheumatic diseases.
abstract: Coping flexibility may be beneficial for the adjustment in the context of a progressive and unpredictable course of chronic rheumatic diseases. The aim of this study was to develop and initially validate a self-report measure that assesses coping flexibility. Study participants were 147 outpatients with chronic rheumatic diseases (73% women, mean age 59 (range 20-79) years). Principal axis factoring analysis with oblique rotation was applied and internal consistency was determined. To investigate the initial validity of the coping flexibility questionnaire (COFLEX), hypothesised correlations with psychological and physical adjustment outcomes, pain, and coping strategies were examined. Factor analysis yielded a two-factor model of coping flexibility with acceptable internal consistency: versatility, the capability of switching between assimilative and accommodative coping strategies according to personal goals and situational demands (α = .88) and reflective coping, the capability of generating and considering coping options, and appraising the suitability of a coping strategy in a given situation (α = .70). Versatility was correlated with adaptive ways of coping and psychological adjustment, but not with physical adjustment and pain. Reflective coping was correlated with both adaptive and maladaptive ways of coping, but it was not correlated with adjustment outcomes. In conclusion, the current study suggests acceptable internal consistency of the COFLEX. Preliminary evidence of the validity of the versatility dimension is indicated, while the validity of reflective coping could not be firmly established. The associations of versatility with favourable adjustment to the disease warrant future confirmatory and validity research in larger samples of patients with chronic rheumatic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Sint Maartenskliniek, P O Box 9011, 6500 GM Nijmegen, The Netherlands. j.vriezekolk@maartenskliniek.nl
authors.forename: Johanna E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Vriezekolk
authors.forename: Wim G J M
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: van Lankveld
authors.forename: Agnes M M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Eijsbouts
authors.forename: Toon
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: van Helmond
authors.forename: Rinie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Geenen
authors.forename: Cornelia H M
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: van den Ende
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004644:Emotions; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult