Tool-Description

The Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI-33) is a psychometric tool designed to measure the coping strategies individuals use in stressful situations. The scale consists of 33 questions, divided into three main coping dimensions:
Problem-solving
Seeking social support
Avoidance
Participants respond to each question on a Likert scale, usually ranging from “never” to “very often,” depending on the frequency with which they use a particular strategy.

Analysis and Use of Data

Data from the CSI-33 are analyzed to determine which coping strategies are most common or effective for each participant. Factor analysis or variance analysis is typically used to explore the relationships between different coping strategies and other variables, such as stress, mental health, or job satisfaction.
The use of CSI-33 data allows researchers or mental health professionals to better understand how individuals adapt to stressful situations. These insights can be used to develop interventions or provide psychological support
Applications:
Examining coping strategies in various contexts, such as work, family, and personal life.
Use in clinical settings to assess patients’ coping mechanisms and provide more targeted therapy.
Facilitating understanding of social and cultural differences in coping strategies.

Purpose

The goal of the CSI-33 is to assess the extent and nature of the strategies people use to manage stress and life challenges. The purpose is to increase individuals’ awareness and adaptability in stressful situations, as well as to support the use of more effective coping strategies.

Scoring

The scoring of the CSI-33 is based on participants’ responses to each of the 33 statements. The Likert scale provides scores that are analyzed to give an overall picture of coping strategies. Scores can be compared to normative groups or previous data to track changes in coping behavior over time.
The scale is divided into three subcategories of strategies (Problem-solving, Seeking social support, Avoidance), and scoring in each subscale reveals the most frequent strategies used by each individual.

References

Amirkhan, J.H. (1990). A factor analytically derived measure of coping: The Coping Strategy Indicator. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59(5), 1066-1074.
Carver, C.S., Scheier, M.F., & Weintraub, J.K. (1989). Assessing coping strategies: A theoretically based approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 267-283.