Psychometric Properties of the KIDCOPE in Turkish Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of a Turkish version of the Kidcope (Kidcope-T), developed by Spirito, Stark, and Williams (1988), which is one of the most widely used brief instruments for the assessment of children’s and adolescents’ coping strategies. Participants were 453 grade 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 students. Alternative models suggested from previous research were tested using Confirmatory Factor Analyses and Spirito’s three-factor model was found to provide the best fit to the data. The convergent validity of the Kidcope was supported by a moderate correlation between the subscales and trait anxiety. The internal consistency score of the Kidcope subscales were α = .72 for Active Coping, α = .70 for Avoidant Coping, and α = .65 for Negative Coping. Test-retest reliability in an interval of three weeks were r = .66 for Active Coping, r = .61 for Avoidant Coping, and r = .76 for Negative Coping.. These results revealed that this scale is a valid and reliable instrument to use with Turkish 7-11 grade students as a measure of coping approaches students.