Psychometric properties of coping and self-efficacy scales related to substance use in a sample of Iranian adolescents

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Persian version of self-efficacy and coping skill scales (CSE) which are relevant to substance use in Iranian adolescents. Method: The method included a forward–backward translation with face and content validity in the first step and the psychometric properties were evaluated in the second step. The study used reliability and construct validity in a cross-sectional survey, in three steps, including: item analysis, explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses in 720 adolescents, aged from 14 to 18 years old in Isfahan. Findings: In the first step, three items were excluded because of low CVI and one item was deleted due to low CITC. EFA in the cross-sectional study showed appropriate loading items and revealed an 18-item scale with four factors including: refusal self-efficacy, decision making, assertiveness and communication skills. Results of the confirmatory factor analysis represented an acceptable fitness (CMIN/DF = 3.6, NFI = 0.90, TLI = 0.92, CFI = 0.93, PNFI = 0.76, RMSEA = 0.06). Internal consistency was found from 0.68 to 0.89 for the four subscales. Conclusion: Overall, the results of these studies indicate that the Persian version of coping and self-efficacy appears to be a psychometrically robust instrument and could significantly predict substance use behaviour in Iranian adolescents.

• Coping skills
• reliability and validity
• self-efficacy
• substance abuse

Acknowledgements

This article is part of a PhD dissertation (project number = 392259). Social Deputy of State Police of Isfahan Province is hereby appreciated for their moral support and special thanks also go to all adolescents for participating in this project.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

The authors would like to thank the Deputy for Research of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences for their financial support.