Empirical subgroups of the coping strategies questionnaire-revised: A multisample study

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the dimensions of copin g, measured by the subscales of the new revised Coping Strategies Questionn aire (CSQ-R) using factor analysis, and to perform cluster analysis on thes e factors to explore the existence of distinct subgroups. No published stud ies have identifed subgroups of chronic pain patients based on the use of C SQ coping strategies. Source: A sample of 419 chronic low back pain patients from a multidiscipli nary pain rehabilitation clinic and a sample of 556 chronic pain patients o f mixed pain etiology presenting for treatment at an anesthesia pain clinic were used to establish reliability of factors and clusters. Results: Both samples yielded very similar two-factor solutions, with initi al solutions accounting for 67.1% and 69.1% of the total variance. The fact ors were characterized as cognitive coping and distraction. Three homogeneo us subgroups were then identified that consisted of a group high on cogniti ve coping, a group with low overall ratings of response CSQ-R items in gene ral, and a group with frequent endorsement of catastrophizing and distracti on-related items. Conclusion: This paper is the first to report empirically derived subgroups from scores on the CSQ or CSQ-R. In addition, the three clusters were sign ificantly different across measures of pain, psychological distress, and le vels of physical functioning, demonstrating validity for the clusters.