Coping Among Breast Cancer Survivors: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Brief COPE

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cancer survivors continue to cope with significant stressors after completing treatment. The Brief COPE (Carver, 1997) is frequently used to measure coping; however, its factor structure remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the best factor conceptualization of the Brief COPE for use among breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Breast cancer survivors (N = 1,127) completed the Brief COPE. We conducted confirmatory factor analyses comparing several a priori models based on research in cancer-relevant populations. RESULTS: Of the eight models examined, the 14-factor model of the Brief COPE showed the best fit. CONCLUSIONS: Despite efforts to simplify the structure of the Brief COPE, our results suggest coping among breast cancer survivors is best assessed using Carver's (1997) original 14-factor conceptualization.