Trauma Coping Self-Efficacy: A context-specific self-efficacy measure for traumatic stress.

Abstract

The psychometric properties of a Trauma Coping Self-Efficacy (CSE-T) scale that assesses general trauma-related coping self-efficacy perceptions were assessed. Measurement equivalence was assessed using several different samples: hospitalized trauma patients (n1 = 74, n2 = 69, n3 = 60), three samples of disaster survivors (n1 = 273, n2 = 227, n3 = 138), and trauma exposed college students (N = 242). This is the first multi-sample evaluation of the psychometric properties for a general trauma-related CSE measure. Results showed that a brief and parsimonious 9-item version of the CSE performed well across the samples with a robust factor structure; factor structure and factor loadings were similar across study samples. The 9-item scale CSE-T demonstrated measurement equivalence across samples indicating that the underlying concept of general post-traumatic CSE is organized in a similar manner in the different trauma-exposed groups. These results offer strong support for cross-event construct validity of the CSE-T scale. Associations of the CSE-T with important expected covariates showed significant evidence for convergent validity. Finally, discriminant validity was also supported. Replication of the factor structure, internal reliability, and other evidence for construct validity is a critical next step for future research.

The Capability for Suicide in Firefighters

“…Self‐efficacy beliefs are often correlated, yet show differential relationships relative to the context specificity of the measure (Bandura, ). Within the present context, one could argue that firefighter self‐efficacy would not be as strongly related to the IPTS subcomponents as trauma coping self‐efficacy given the importance of the latter in relationships with mental health outcomes (Benight et al., ).…”

“…The Trauma Coping Self‐Efficacy Scale (CSE‐T; Benight et al., ) measured the perceived capability for managing traumatic stress symptoms. The CSE‐T is a 9‐item scale that assesses coping self‐efficacy for challenges and demands in a recovery process from trauma.…”

“…Bandura () argued that self‐efficacy appraisals are most predictive when they are contextualized versus general in nature. Thus, we focused on firefighter demand‐related coping self‐efficacy perceptions using the Firefighter Coping Self‐Efficacy Scale (FFCSE; Lambert, Benight, Harrison, & Cieslak, ) and coping self‐efficacy for challenges and demands in a recovery process from trauma using the Trauma Coping Self‐Efficacy Scale (CSE‐T; Benight et al., ).…”

Non-linear Dynamic Shifts in Distress After Wildfires: Further Tests of the Self-Regulation Shift Theory

“…Trauma Coping Self-Efficacy Scale (CSE-T; Benight et al, 2015 ) was used to measure perceived capability to deal with uncertainty and challenges associated with the wildfire. The CSE-T consists of nine items with a seven-point scale ranging from 1 ( not at all capable ) to 7 ( very capable ).…”

“…The CSE-T comprises nine items with a seven-point scale ranging from 1 ( not at all capable ) to 7 ( very capable ). Sample items included “Not ‘lose it’ emotionally” and “get my life back to normal.” The internal consistency (α = 0.93), test–retest reliability, and convergent validity of this scale have been validated with three separate samples, including disaster survivors ( Benight et al, 2015 ). For the current study, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were 0.91 at T1, 0.95 at T2, and 0.96 at T3.…”