Analysis

The analysis of responses in the Brief-COPE focuses on identifying the main coping strategies used by an individual. The questions are categorized into various subscales that reflect specific strategies such as active coping, positive reframing, acceptance, and avoidance. The analysis can be conducted using statistical methods such as factor analysis or covariance analysis to examine the validity and reliability of the subscales.

Objective

The main goal of the Brief-COPE is to provide a short and effective method for assessing coping strategies for stress, which may impact mental and physical health. It is widely used in clinical and research settings to understand how individuals behave in response to stress-inducing situations and to develop appropriate interventions and treatments aimed at improving stress management.

Scoring

The scoring of the Brief-COPE is based on a four-point Likert scale for each question. Responses are recorded and summed to give scores for each subscale, which can then be compared with normative scores for the population or specific groups. The analysis of the scores can help identify the main coping strategies used by the individual, as well as assess their effectiveness.

References

Carver, C. S., Scheier, M. F., & Weintraub, J. K. (1989). Assessing coping strategies: a theoretically based approach. Journal of personality and social psychology, 56(2), 267.
Dias, C., Cruz, J. F., and Fonseca, A. M. (2012). The relationship between multidimensional competitive anxiety, cognitive threat appraisal, and coping strategies: A multi-sport study. Int. J. Sport Exerc. Psychol.10, 52–65. doi: 10.1080/1612197X.2012.645131
Eisenberg, S. A., Shen, B. J., Schwarz, E. R., & Mallon, S. (2012). Avoidant coping moderates the association between anxiety and patient-rated physical functioning in heart failure patients. Journal of behavioral medicine, 35(3), 253-261.
Poulus, D., Coulter, T. J., Trotter, M. G., & Polman, R. (2020). Stress and Coping in Esports and the Influence of Mental Toughness. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 628. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00628