THE FACTOR STRUCTURE OF COPING STRATEGIES IN HEMOPHILIA

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the factor structure o f the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ). In order to find factors that are reproducible across samples and to evaluate their relationshi p to pain, disability, and depressive mood, the subjects used were a g roup of 224 patients with congenital coagulation defects. Factor analy sis identified 4 factors in the Coping Strategies Questionnaire that c ould be categorized as Distraction, Pain Control, Reinterpreting Pain Sensations, and Catastrophizing. There were positive correlations betw een pain and Catastrophizing (p<0.005) and between disability and Cata strophizing (p<0.005). There was also a relationship between Catastrop hizing and emotional well-being indicating that the lower the feeling of well-being, the greater the use of Catastrophizing strategies. The present results confirm that a 4- to 5-factor solution gives reasonabl e reproducibility across samples and methods.