Ways of coping with asthma in everyday life: validation of the Asthma Specific Coping Scale.

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the validity of the Asthma Specific Coping Scale.

METHODS

Study samples were comprised of persons with drug-treated asthma (n=3464) drawn from the Drug Reimbursement Registry and asthma rehabilitation participants [brief (n=278) and comprehensive (n=316) intervention]. Data were collected by questionnaires.

RESULTS

The expected structure of the six subscales (restricted lifestyle, hiding asthma, positive reappraisal, information seeking, ignoring asthma, and asthma worry) was supported. The Cronbach's alpha reliabilities of the subscales ranged from .63 to .84. Concurrent validity was supported by meaningful correlations between asthma coping scales and psychosocial resources, health-related quality of life, and general coping. The asthma coping scales discriminated between the intervention participants and the population-based sample. Four out of six subscales also showed sensitivity to change after rehabilitation.

CONCLUSION

Though further longitudinal studies are needed, this scale seems to be a promising instrument to be used in surveys and outcome studies.