Psychometric Properties of the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale Among HIV-Infected Iranian Patients

Abstract

Background:

Self-efficacy is an important predicator of coping with stress.

Objectives:

This study aimed to determine the psychometric characteristics of the coping self-efficacy (CSE) scale among HIV-infected Iranian patients.

Patients and Methods:

Psychometric properties of the CSE scale were examined by using a cross-sectional study design. One hundred and twenty HIV-infected Iranian patients that had been referred to the Counseling of Behavioral Diseases Center at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran, Iran in 2014 were selected through simple random sampling method. To determine the Content Validity Index (CVI) and the content validity ratio (CVR), a panel of experts (n = 20) reviewed items of CSE scale. Reliability was estimated through the internal consistency (n = 30) and the conformity factor analysis was performed.

Results:

Iranian version of the CSE scale contained 16 items, including 7 items on the “use of problem-focused coping” method, 5 items on “stopping unpleasant emotions and thoughts”, and 4 items on “getting support from friends and family”. CVI and CVR scores were 0.79, 0.42 and more, respectively. Internal consistencies (range, 0.64 to 0.84) of 3 subscales were acceptable. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that comparative indices of the model, including CFI, IFI, GFI, RMSEA, and Chi-square (χ2/df) were 0.96, 0.95, 0.84, 0.83, and 1.82, respectively, which indicated a good fit for the data.

Conclusions:

The Iranian version of the CSE scale is a valid instrument to measure the coping self-efficacy among people living with HIV in research and community settings in Iran.

1. Background

People living with HIV/AIDS experience more stress in their lives compared to those living with other diseases (1). HIV-related stressors may lead to the use of maladaptive coping strategies such as avoidance and denial of the disease (2). Using adaptive strategies will help HIV-infected individuals maintain their psychological and physical health. The ability to cope successfully with a chronic illness such as AIDS is influenced by a number of social and psychological factors (3). One of the important psychological factors is coping self-efficacy (CSE). Patients having high CSE are able to engage more in adaptive coping behaviors. They also have lower depression rates and higher disclosure (4). CSE is rooted in the concept that people truly need to believe they are capable of engaging in a coping behavior in order to effectively participate in adaptive coping behaviors (5). CSE is related to stress and coping theory (6) that focuses on managing behavioral and cognitive responses to stressful situations (7). Belief about self-efficacy is part of a secondary evaluation of stress and coping theory, which also addresses the judgment of controllability of stress through coping (8). CSE would be expected to influence outcomes of interventions designed to enhance coping of personal efficacy and reduction of one’s psychological distress and improvement of well-being (5). To measure the exact level of CSE in patients using psychometric measures is essential. To the best of our knowledge, there has not been any scale available in Iran to assess the CSE level among people living with HIV/AIDS. The 26-item CSE scale developed was a valid instrument to measure the perceived self-efficacy to cope with life challenges or threats (9).

2. Objectives

This study aimed to measure psychometric characteristics of CSE scale among those people living with HIV in Tehran, Iran, during June to September 2014.

3. Materials and Methods

3.1. Design and Procedure

Psychometric properties of the CSE scale were examined using a cross-sectional study design. Steps to examine the psychometric characteristics of CSE scale are presented in the following sections.

3.1.1. Translation of English Version of CSE Scale to Farsi

The original version of CSE-26 was translated from English to Farsi. Backward translation was reviewed by an independent group of experienced researchers and linguistics in order to achieve a reliable Farsi version. The translation group consisted of 4 researchers and 2 translators. Translators carefully reviewed the document and then provided translated English version of CSE scale as a complete representation in terms of phrasing and content with respect to Iranian culture.

3.1.2. Content Validity

Content validity of this instrument was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. The content validity ratio (CVR) and the content validity index (CVI) of each item were calculated based on the opinions of 20 experts. We asked all of the experts on the panel to judge the rate of necessity of each item; therefore, those items with a CVR score of 0.42 and more were approved and those with CVI score of 0.79 and above were considered satisfactory (10, 11).

3.1.3. Face Validity

A group of HIV-infected patients (n = 20) were asked to comment on the clarity, simplicity, and legibility of the items of CSE scale (face validity). Following their comments, less cleared items and or vague questions were revised and some minor errors were corrected as well.

3.1.4. Construct Validity

The construct validity of the 16-item instrument scale was determined by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). To evaluate the model fitness, 120 eligible HIV-infected patients that had been referred to the counseling of behavioral diseases center at the state hospital of Imam Khomeini in Tehran, Iran in 2014 were selected through simple random sampling method. It should be noted that approximately 7 cases per each item of CES-16 were selected (12). The selection criteria for this study were as follows:

1. patients’ agreement to participate,

2. male and female patients with medically documented HIV infection,

3. patients ≥ 18 years,

4. ability to read and write in Farsi.

One of the research faculty at the clinic was able to identify 135 patients who met the eligibility criteria on the day of their appointments; however, only 120 of those eligible patients willingly accepted to participate in this study (exclusion = 15). All participants were informed about the study objectives and; therefore, a written consent was obtained from all participants. Rights of the participants were completely respected and they were ensured of anonymity of their responses. This study was approved on June 11, 2014 by the Ethics Committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (No. 93-130-446). Participants were asked to answer all the questions such as ‘When you think things aren’t going well for you,’ or ‘when you feel you’re having problems,’ and ‘how confident you are that you can do the following’ in the instrument. Then, the patients were asked to rate on an 11-point scale with three Anchor points on the scale were zero (‘cannot do at all’), 5 (‘moderately certain can do’) and 10 (‘certain can do’). All various fit indicated relative chi-square (χ2/df), comparative fit index (CFI), incremental fit index (IFI), normed fit index (NFI), non-normed fit index (NNFI), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), and standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) (13). Relative Chi-square was obtained by dividing the chi-square by degrees of freedom where the recommended reference value should be less than 3 to be an acceptable fitness for the model (12). The values of CFI, IFI, NFI, and NNFI could range between 0 and 1 where values closer to 1 are indicative of data fitness (14). An RMSEA range from 0.08 to 0.10 shows a mediocre fit and values below 0.8 indicate a good fit (15). The acceptable value for SRMR is below 0.10 where values less than 0.8 indicate an adequate fit and values less than 0.5 indicate good fit (16, 17).

3.1.5. Reliability

Internal consistency of the CSE scale was assessed using Cronbach α coefficient. In addition, a sub-sample of patients (n = 30) completed the instrument. α values of equal or greater than 0.70 was considered satisfactory (18).

3.2. Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis such as mean and standard deviations were performed using SPSS (version 17.0, SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) and CFA was performed using the LISREL 8.80 for Windows (19).

4. Results

4.1. Demographic Variables

The mean age of the participants in the CFA was 34.74 y (SD = ± 7.14). Other demographic characteristics of the participants are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Demographic Characteristics of the Participants in the Factor Analysis.

Variable	Frequency
Age, y	34.7 4 ± 7.14
Sex
Male	72 (60)
Female	40 (48)
Marital status
Single	50 (41.7)
Married	52 (43.3)
Divorced	11 (9.2)
Widow	7 (15.4)
Education level
Illiterate	1 (0.8)
≤ 12th grade	91 (75.8)
> 12th grade	28 (23.3)
Occupation status
Housekeeper	8 (30.8)
Employee	17 (14.2)
Self-employed	63 (52.5)

^a Data are presented as No. (%) or Mean ± SD.

4.2. Content Validity

According to the panel of experts and their feedback, CVI and CVR were calculated for each item. The CVI and CVR scores of items were 0.79, 0.42 and higher, respectively. The CVR of 4 items were less than 0.42, so those were removed including two items in the first subscales, one item in the second and one item in the third one. Due to similarity of the concept among 6 items, they were merged together in their subscales. The prefinal version of the instrument contained 16 items, including 7 items on the use of the problem-focused coping, 5 items on the stopping unpleasant emotions and thoughts, and 4 items on getting support from friends and family among subscales (Table 2).

Table 2. Cronbach α for Items and Subscales of Iranian Coping Self-efficacy.

Items/Subscales	No. of items and Scale range	Mean ± SD	Cronbach α
Use problem-focused coping	7 items on a 11-point scale from 0 = (‘cannot do at all) degree to 10 = (certain)		0.84
I break my problems down into smaller parts first and then think about each part of the problem at a time.		5.88 ± 2.57
I sort out what can be changed, and what cannot be changed.		6.14 ± 2.71
I leave my options open when things get stressful and find different solutions for my most challenging problems.		5.76 ± 2.76
I resist the impulse to act hastily when I am under pressure.		4.56 ± 3.10
When confronting a problem, I make an action plan first; then try to find different solution for my problem if my first solution does not work.		6.33 ± 2.61
Make myself believe that I am capable of solving my problems.		6.91 ± 2.92
I develop new hobbies or recreations.		6.50 ± 3.31
Stop unpleasant emotions and thoughts	5 items on a 11 point scale 0 = (‘cannot do at all) degree to 10 = (certain)		0.83
I always try to avoid unpleasant thoughts as they, more than likely, make me feel sad and lonely.		5.74 ± 2.77
I look for something positive for myself in a negative situation.		5.60 ± 2.74
I try to pray to remain calm when I am under pressure.		6.62 ± 3.21
I take my mind off unpleasant thoughts.		5.55 ± 3.03
I try to visualize a pleasant activity or place in unpleasant situation.		5.20 ± 3.09
Support from friends and family	4 items on a 11 point scale from 0 = (‘cannot do at all) degree to 10 = (certain)		0.73
I get emotional support from community organizations or resources.		3.88 ± 3.85
I get friends to help me with the things I need.		4.99 ± 3.53
I get emotional support from friends and family.		6.16 ± 3.20
Do something positive for myself when I feel discouraged.		6.16 ± 2.91

4.3. Confirmatory Factor Analysis

All variables were checked to be normally distributed before implementation of CFA. The 16-item instrument was examined for CFA. The relative chi-square (χ2/df) was 1.82, indicating the fitness of the model (P < 0.001). Comparative indices of the model, including CFI, IFI, NFI, and NNFI were 0.96, 0.95, 0.92, and 0.94, respectively, indicating the goodness of fit for the data. The RMSEA of the model was 0.083 (90% CI, 0.064-0.10). SRMR was less than 0.08 (0.06) confirming an acceptable fit for the model. The result of confirmatory factor analysis is shown in Figure 1. Table 3 demonstrates score distribution, ceiling, and floor effect of results.

Figure 1. Three-Factor Model for the Instrument Obtained From Confirmatory Factory Analysis (n = 120).

Factor 1 = Use problem-focused coping, Factor 2 = Stop unpleasant emotions and thoughts, Factor 3 = Get support from friends and family.

Table 3. Score Distribution, Ceiling, and Floor Effect of the 16-CSE-S ^a.

	Number of Items	Mean ± SD	Ceiling Effect	Floor Effect
Factor 1	7	42.10 ± 14.4	44.2	6.7
Factor 2	5	28.7 ± 11.60	37.5	9.2
Factor 3	4	21.20 ± 9.42	35	13.3

4.4. Reliability

Cronbach α of 3 subscales was acceptable (range, 0.73-0.84). Table 2 presents Cronbach α coefficients of subscales.

5. Discussion

The present study demonstrated different stages of psychometric characteristics of CSE scale among people living with HIV in Iran. The findings showed that modified CSE instrument with 16 items and 3 factors was a valid and reliable tool to detect HIV coping self-efficacy among Iranian patients. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit for the data. The only development of Iranian version of coping self-efficacy scale has been conducted among type 2 diabetic patients in Tol et al. study (20). Content validity, reliability, and cultural equivalency were evaluated by qualitative and quantitative study. Final version of the construct validity and factor analysis were tested and as a result, 2 items were deleted and 1 factor was also extracted as a self-efficacy on diabetic problem solving. However, the internal consistencies were lower than the present study but they were approved by a psychometric analysis, which was consistent with this study. It needs to be taken into consideration that diabetic patients’ setting is completely different from that of people living with HIV in Iran, since HIV related stresses are much more complicated. Despite the lack of validating study for coping self-efficacy scale, the general self-efficacy has been developed in several studies, where it typically yielded internal consistencies between α= 0.75 and α= 0.90 (21). Previous studies reported excellent reliability and validity as a measure of self-efficacy beliefs to cope with the consequences of arthritis disease (22, 23). The results showed that CVI and CVR of all scaled items were satisfactory. The CVR and CVI values for 20 expert panels were 0.42 and 0.80 (10-11). Rubio et al. suggested that the experts’ opinions are the best methods for evaluating the content validity (24). However the result of the present study was not exactly supported in content validity of the original CES and because of experts’ opinions during the quantitative content validity process, 4 items were deleted and 6 items of CES-26 merged together. For example, ‘Leave options open when things get stressful’ was merged with ‘Find solution to your most difficult problem’ in one sentence as, ‘I leave my options open when things get stressful, so hopefully I can find different solutions to my most challenging problems.’ The results indicated that Cronbach α for the 16 items and 3 subscales of instrument were satisfactory. In line with Ludane, Cronbach α of CSE sub-scales ranged from 0.63 to 0.90 (25).

This study was the first research study of its kind (strong point of the study), which assessed validity of CSE scale among people living with HIV in Iran in which practitioners could use validated scale to determine CSE among those patients with adaptive coping behavior in the Iranian context. Limitation of this study was that the sample data was only collected of those HIV/AIDS patients at the Counseling of Behavioral Diseases Center affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. Also considering the fact that this clinic was located in central Tehran, the homogeneity of samples may limit the extent to which the findings can be generalized to other areas of the city. More researches and studies should be done in order to assess the validity of this scale among other racial or ethnic groups and other geographic areas in Tehran or other cities in Iran. This study confirmed that the 16-item CSE scale was a valid and reliable tool to use for the population infected with HIV in Iran. This instrument can help educators and psychologists to measure the HIV coping self-efficacy in the research and community settings in Iran.