Psychometric properties of coping and self-efficacy scales related to substance use in a sample of Iranian adolescents

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Persian version of self-efficacy and coping skill scales (CSE) which are relevant to substance use in Iranian adolescents. Method: The method included a forward-backward translation with face and content validity in the first step and the psychometric properties were evaluated in the second step. The study used reliability and construct validity in a cross-sectional survey, in three steps, including: item analysis, explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses in 720 adolescents, aged from 14 to 18 years old in Isfahan. Findings: In the first step, three items were excluded because of low CVI and one item was deleted due to low CITC. EFA in the cross-sectional study showed appropriate loading items and revealed an 18-item scale with four factors including: refusal self-efficacy, decision making, assertiveness and communication skills. Results of the confirmatory factor analysis represented an acceptable fitness (CMIN/DF=3.6, NFI=0.90, TLI=0.92, CFI=0.93, PNFI=0.76, RMSEA=0.06). Internal consistency was found from 0.68 to 0.89 for the four subscales. Conclusion: Overall, the results of these studies indicate that the Persian version of coping and self-efficacy appears to be a psychometrically robust instrument and could significantly predict substance use behaviour in Iranian adolescents.