Coping strategy indicator–Short version: Validity evidence of internal structure and correlates in young adults

The abbreviated measurement of coping strategies is useful for monitoring and identifying the effects of stress. The Coping Strategy Indicator-Short version (CSI-S) (seeking support, problem solving and avoidance strategies) is a new adaptation of the full parent version, and it requires additional evidence of validity. Young adults (n=125) from a public university in Lima, Peru, were recruited to help test the evidence of validity of internal structure, reliability and association with other variables (perceived stress and general efficacy to cope with difficulties), which were evaluated using nonparametric item response theory procedures. The support-seeking and problem-solving items formed Mokken scales, and avoidance showed limited properties. The correlations between the scales were moderate or low and had theoretical consistency, and the relationship with perceived stress highlighted the predictive capacity of avoidance and problem-solving strategies. In general, the CSI-S shows suitable psychometric properties; however, the avoidance score requires further examination or reconstruction of its items.