The Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced inventory (COPE) is one of the most frequently used tools for assessing coping styles. However, there is a lack of information about its psychometric properties in applied settings. The aim of this study is to analyze the psychometric properties and internal structure of the COPE in an adult clinical sample attending a primary care mental health unit and to develop an adapted version to increase its reliability and clinical utility. We administered the questionnaire to 301 participants (37.5% men) aged 18-69 years. The most prevalent principal diagnoses were adjustment (39.9%) and mood disorders (35.9%). The principal component analysis yielded a nine factor solution accounting for 61.23% of the total variance. This shortened version of the COPE provides a theoretically and empirical consistent inventory, improves the factor structure and increases the reliability of the scales with a mean alpha value of .81. This version, the COPE-48, offers good psychometric properties, it takes about 20min to administer, allowing a reliable and parsimonious evaluation. Its administration in applied settings could help with identifying which coping strategies are used and which can be modified and promoted by psychological treatment.
Keywords: Assessment; COPE; Clinical practice; Coping behavior; Mental health; Primary care; Stress.
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