Examining the psychometric properties of the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory and Brief Cope in the firefighter population

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of a modified sport psychology instrument in firefighters and explore the associations between psychological skills and coping strategies. Career firefighters completed an online survey assessing psychological skills and coping strategies. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed on the modified Athletic Skills Coping Inventory (ACSI) and the Brief Cope (BC). Subsequent exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and covariance modeling were performed on the ACSI and bivariate correlations between the refined ACSI and BC were assessed. The refined ACSI included four factors and model fit exceeded fit recommendations. Nine significant relationships between the modified ACSI and BC were found. Excellent psychometric properties of the refined ACSI instrument provide preliminary evidence of the appropriateness, meaningfulness, and usefulness of the instrument in firefighters. However, modifications should be made that address the scale weaknesses before implementation.

ACSI-28 Indonesian Version Validity and Reliability

“…Both the original ACSI-28 and the Indonesian version offer four options: rarely, occasionally, often, and almost always. In the prior study, different things were done, only four of the intended seven ACSI-28 subscales were built [9].…”

“…ACSI has been utilized in previous studies to investigate the association between coping skills and current hip pain and function scores in ballet dancers [8]. Overall, the modified ACSI instrument's good psychometric qualities give convincing preliminary evidence of the instrument's appropriateness, meaningfulness, and utility in firefighters [9]. In a prior study, ACSI was used to look at the relationship between dispositional accomplishment goal orientation and coping abilities in elite South African quadriplegic wheelchair rugby players [5].…”