Development and validation of the coping strategies questionnaire for parents of children with diabetes

Abstract

This study describes the development and validation of the Coping Strategies for Diabetes Care (CSDC) questionnaire for parents of children with diabetes. In Study 1, a pilot version was tested with a sample of 101 parents. In Study 2 (N=199), confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on data from fathers and mothers separately. In Study 3 (N=109 parents)validity was determined using the WHO-Well Being Index and other measures. The final questionnaire consisted of 15 items. Analyses revealed a 5-factor structure [CMIN=125.5, d.f.=78, p=.001; RMR=GFI=.92; CFI=.96]: planful problem solving, social support seeking, negative emotional expression, wishful thinking, and religious strategies. Multigroup analysis (mothers/fathers) confirmed this structure. Among mothers, use of expressing negative emotions was associated with lower well-being (r=.58). Findings showed support for the validity of a brief measure for using in research and clinical settings.