A factor replication approach to the measurement of coping

Contemporary definitions of stress emphasize the transaction between the individual and the environment. This transactional approach requires stress researchers to confront a range of measurement issues concerning how the transactional process should be operationalized in a work setting. One of the constructs that has received increased interest is that of coping. How in a work setting coping strategies should be measured, and more particularly classified, has resulted in considerable debate and discussion. This research explores the use of factor replication techniques, and more specifically FACTOREP, on a checklist of coping strategies devised for principals and deputy principals. The results suggest that when attempts are made to identify those coping factors that can be replicated across samples, there is general support for coping strategies to be classified as either problem-focused or emotion-focused. The implications of this finding are discussed in terms of the measurement of coping, coping taxonomies and issues such as coping styles versus coping behaviours and universal versus context-specific measurements.