Psychometric Properties of the Measure of Adolescent Coping Strategies (MACS)

Sigrun Sveinbjornsdottir, Einar Baldvin Thorsteinsson

University of Akureyri, Akureyri, Iceland.
University of New England, Armidale, Australia.

DOI: 10.4236/psych.2014.52022                

Abstract

This paper presents the collective results of three independent studies in two countries, Australia and Iceland, aimed to develop a psychometrically sound adolescent coping scale, the Measure of Adolescent Coping Strategies (MACS). Study 1, relying on 3034 Australian and 6908 Icelandic adolescents, revealed five conceptually distinct first-order factors. Two second-order factors (dimensions) were derived: (a) adaptive coping encompassing stoicism/distraction, seeking social support, and self-care, and (b) maladaptive coping encompassing acting out and rumination. This factor structure was supported by multisample confirmatory factor analysis (MSCFA) across age, gender and national samples. Study 1 established evidence of discriminant validity. In Study 2, including 534 Australian adolescents, the factor structure was verified through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Studies 1 and 2 provided evidence of construct validity. Study 3, employing 118 Icelandic adolescents, established 16-week test-retest reliability and evidence of convergent validity. Therefore, the MACS is a short, reliable and valid scale to measure adolescent coping, thus enabling clinicians, researchers and educators to improve their practice when conducting research and guiding adolescents in developing effective coping methods.

Keywords

Adolescent; Coping; Cross-Cultural; Scale; Psychometrics

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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