The factor structure of coping strategies in schizophrenic patients / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

ABSTRACT

Background Based on prior research in the field, a preliminary questionnaire was created to compare the coping strategies of schizophrenic patients to those of non-ill community residents. Results of the comparison were subsequently used to develop a questionnaire suitable for use in schizophrenic patients.Methods Ninety-one of the 92 items in the preliminary questionnaire were identified from previous questionnaires, and one additional item was created based on information provided in individual interviews with schizophrenic patients. This questionnaire was administered to 315 community controls and 208 schizophrenic inpatients. Exploratory Factor Analyses to identify the factor structure of coping strategies were independently conducted for controls and patients. Based on these results, a revised 65-item instrument was developed and administered to a new group of 287 controls and 219 schizophrenic inpatients. Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) using Linear Structural Relations (LISREL) were independently conducted for the two groups to confirm their respective factor structures.Results Six coping categories identified in normal controls were problem solving, avoidance, cognitive adjustment, emotional adjustment, seeking special support, and denial. Among schizophrenic patients, however,coping strategies of "seeking special support" and "denial" were not independent of the other four coping categories. Their items were distributed among the others. Results of CFA confirmed this four-category model of coping strategies for schizophrenic patients.Conclusions Coping categories employed by schizophrenic patients were different from those employed by normal community controls. Schizophrenic patients lacked the necessary flexibility of selecting appropriate coping strategies.