Medical coping modes questionnaire: Factor structure for adult transplant candidates

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, a rationally and empirically constructed instrument that purports to measure 3 cognitive-behavioral, illness-related coping strategies. The original 3-factor solution as derived by Feifel et al. (1987a) was tested and compared to 2 additional theoretically derived 1- and 2-factor models using confirmatory factor analysis. Because goodness of fit criteria were not acceptable, and because transplant candidates may use different coping strategies than general medical patients, principal components factor analysis was performed. In addition, internal consistency and construct validity of revised scales and their relation to demographic variables were assessed. A sample of 372 liver, kidney, heart, lung, and bone marrow transplant patients was used. Exploratory factor analysis revealed 4 factors (with an acceptable number of items) that accounted for 45.81% of the variance and consisted of 16 of the original 19 items. Generally, the Avoidance and Acceptance/Resignation subscales were replicated, and the Confrontation scale was split into 2 factors: Social Support Seeking and Information Seeking. Correlations between revised factors and measures of affective distress and quality of life were in the directions expected. Implications for the use of this measure with transplant candidates are discussed.