Validation of the Pain Coping Questionnaire in Finnish.

OBJECTIVE

The Pain Coping Questionnaire (PCQ), the first validated pain coping measurement developed specifically for children, has lacked proper validation in Finnish. The original PCQ by Reid et al. (Pain 1998; 76; 83-96) comprises eight-first-order and three higher-order scales. The aim herein was to determine the factor structure and validity of the Finnish PCQ translation in Finnish children.

METHODS

Exploratory factor analysis was used for the first-order and higher-order classification of 91 recruited patients aged 8-15. Cronbach's alpha was used for reliability. Relationships between the Children's Depression Inventory, patient-reported pain frequency and pain coping strategies were examined.

RESULTS

Analyses were executed with 38 items; one was excluded. A structure of eight-first-order (Internalizing/Catastrophizing [IC], Positive Self-Statements [PSS], Information Seeking [IS], Seeking Social Support [SSS], Cognitive Distraction [CD], Externalizing [EXT], Behavioural Distraction [BD], Problem Solving [PS]) and three higher-order scales (Approach [APP], Emotion-Focused Avoidance [EFA], Distraction [DIS]) proved the most consistent. Four first-order scales (PSS, CD, EXT, BD) emerged as identical to the original solution. Internal consistency reliability coefficients for all individual first- and second-order scales were satisfactory. A higher CDI score was positively related to EFA and negatively to DIS, and pain frequency positively related to APP and EFA.

CONCLUSION

The exploratory factor analysis of the PCQ provided a both culturally and statistically satisfactory structure in the Finnish translation. This supports the reliability and validity of the PCQ in future national use and the value of the questionnaire also outside English-speaking countries.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study showed both culturally and statistically satisfactory factor structure of PCQ in the Finnish translation. This result supports reliability and validity of the PCQ in the national use in the future. The result shows that the PCQ is a reliable method to be used in different linguistic and cultural surroundings and, thus, encourages using it in various countries. The data consist of two patient groups, adolescents with JIA and musculoskeletal pain. Pain and specifically coping with pain are important aspects of clinical work. A valid pain coping scale may enhance distinguishing vulnerable pain coping style in children and adolescent before pain becomes chronic.