Abstract:
Coping strategies play an integral part in patients with cancer. This refers to the specific
efforts; both behavioural and psychological that minimizes negative effects of stressful
events. In Sri Lanka, validated scales to measure coping are scarce. This study examined
the Sinhala version of the Brief COPE Scale for its psychometric properties. This scale
is a self-administered 28 item scale; consists of both constructive (adaptive) and
destructive (maladaptive) coping. Items are divided into following (14) subscales: active
coping, self-blame, use of instrumental support, denial, positive reframing, religion, self distraction, acceptance, behavioural disengagement, use of emotional support, substance
use, humour, venting, and planning. Each subscale has two items. Cancer patients
(n=40) were registered ‘first come - first serve’ basis using their appointment register at
the Radiotherapy Unit, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya. They were requested to complete
a Sinhala version of three scales; the Brief COPE, the Centre for Epidemiological
Studies –Depression (CES-D) and the World Health Organization-Quality of Life-Brief
(WHOQOL-BREF), and demographic details. To test-retest reliability, the same
subjects were asked to fill the same scales two weeks later. Results were regarded as
statistically significant if p < 0.05. Ethical approval was granted. The mean (±SD) age
was 61(±12) years. The mean overall coping (±SD) was 63.50 (±7.22). The Sinhala Brief COPE was found to have a negative correlation with the CES-D (divergent
validity) but was positively correlated with the WHOQOL-BREF (convergent validity).
The internal consistency of the overall scale was good (Cronbach’s alpha - 0.81).
Adaptive and maladaptive coping showed a high Cronbach’s alpha (0.793 and 0.788).
The test-retest reliability was 0.66. The Sinhala version of the Brief COPE is a reliable
and valid tool to assess coping strategies; this could be used to gain an understanding of
both adaptive and maladaptive coping among patients with cancer in Sri Lanka.
