Coping strategies questionnaire (CSQ): Reliability of the swedish version of the CSQ

Abstract
We present a study with the aim of investigating the internal consistency and reliability of a Swedish version of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ). The study group consisted of 282 subjects suffering from long term back pain. Internal consistency was investigated by calculating alpha coefficients and test-retest reliability was investigated by a correlation analysis with two different test-retest intervals. The results reveal that the internal consistency of the Swedish CSQ is high (alpha range between 0.7 and 0.8) and consistent with the American version. The test-retest reliability was not equally satisfactory (correlation ranged between 0.4 and 0.9) but the results support the usefulness of the CSQ as a tool in the clinical assessment of pain coping strategies. The test-retest result indicate the need for further research. In conclusion, the results from the present study are encouraging and support the usefulness of the instrument but to improve the utility and application of the Swedish version of the CSQ further research is warranted.