Testing the theoretical models underlying the Ways of Coping Questionnaire with couples

GENEVIEVE BOUCHARD AND STEPHANE SABOURIN . UNIVERSITE LAVAL. YVAN LUSSIER. UNIVERSITE DU QUEBEC A TROIS-RIVERES* JOHN WRIGHT.UNIVERSITE DE MONTREAL** CHANEAL RICHER. UNIVERSITE LAVAL*** Recently, the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ) has been challenged by confirmatory factor analyses suggesting the inadequacy of the theoretical model underlying this measure. Because these conclusions came from only two studies, we sought to investigate the structural validity of the WCQ, using first-order and second-order confirmatory factor analyses with a sample of 506 couples who completed the questionnaire. Two multidimensional models and their associated hierarchical models, were tested. The multidimensional four-factor model received adequate empirical support and was a better approximation of the data than the eight-factor model. Key Words: confirmatory factor analysis, coping, couples, theoretical model, Ways of Coping Questionnaire. Coping refers to the thoughts and acts used by an individual to manage the internal or external demands or both that tax or exceed his or her psychological resources (Callan & Hennessey, 1989; Folkman & Lazarus, 1986). The Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ; Folkman & Lazarus, 1988c) is probably the most popular self-report measure of coping strategies (Schwarzer & Schwarzer, 1996). The WCQ was developed to assess eight fundamental dimensions of the coping process: confrontation, distancing, selfcontrol, seeking social support, accepting responsibility, escape/avoidance, planful problem solving, and positive reappraisal (Folkman, Lazarus, Dunkel-Schetter, DeLongis, & Gruen, 1986). These eight dimensions measure two general functions of coping, problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping. Problem-focused coping is aimed at doing something to change the stressful situation for the better, whereas emotionfocused coping is aimed at regulating emotional distress (Folkman & Lazarus, 1985, 1988b). Coping strategies measured by the WCQ are part of a larger theory addressing the link between psychological stress and emotions (Lazarus, 1991, 1993). According to Lazarus, when a person faces a stressful event, two processes, cognitive appraisal and coping, are powerful mediators of emotional outcomes. Cognitive appraisal of the stressful event is performed first, and the end resuit of this operation is acting on the selection of one specific coping strategy. Thus, if after appraisal, it seems that something can be done, problem-focused coping strategies are more likely to be selected. However, if it seems that nothing can be done, emotion-focused coping predominates. This conception of coping strategies as multidimensional and composed of eight dimensions that fulfill two general functions is so widespread that it could be considered the prevailing conception. Recent results reported by Parker, Endler, and Bagby (1993), however, challenge the theoretical integrity of the multidimensional coping model articulated by Folkman et al. (1986). Indeed, in a series of confirmatory factor analyses, the eight coping dimensions did not appear to be reliable underlying dimensions of the questionnaire. Consequently, Parker et al. (1993) argued that researchers routinely should conduct factor analyses on the WCQ for their particular samples or should use coping questionnaires based on more adequate theoretical and empirical grounds. Adopting these recommendations in family research might be premature for three interrelated reasons. First, the conclusions of Parker and his colleagues (1993) are based on results of only two studies and thus require replication. Second, these two studies examined coping responses of students facing a highly specific stressful situation, an impending exam. Consequently, it can be argued that the observed factorial "instability" was, in fact, attributable to some characteristic of the specific stressful situation. …