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Dyadic Coping in the U.S.: Psychometric Properties and Validity for Use of the English Version of the Dyadic Coping Inventory

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Abstract

A majority of individuals living in the U.S. experience unhealthy levels of stress; however, romantic partners can help mitigate stress’ deleterious effects by coping together (dyadic coping). The Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI) measures coping behaviors when one or both partners experience stress. Specifically, the DCI measures a) partner’s self-report of his/her own (Self) and their partner’s (Partner) behavior, and b) Common DC during the experience of a common stressor. Despite its wide use, the DCI has not yet been validated for use in the United States (U.S.). The aim of this study was to address this gap in the literature. Using a sample of 938 individuals in the U.S. currently involved in a romantic relationship, we validated the English version of the DCI by analyzing its factorial structure and psychometric properties. Results supported the theoretically assumed factorial structure of the DCI. Convergent and discriminant validity, as well as measurement invariance across gender and culture using the original Swiss sample, was confirmed. The English version of the DCI is a valid self-report instrument for assessing couples' coping in the U.S.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Counseling and Counseling Psychology, Arizona State University, 446 Payne Hall, Tempe, AZ, 85287-0811, USA

    Ashley K. Randall, Laura E. Jimenez-Arista & Kelsey J. Walsh

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Peter Hilpert

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland

    Guy Bodenmann

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  1. Ashley K. Randall
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  2. Peter Hilpert
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  3. Laura E. Jimenez-Arista
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  5. Guy Bodenmann
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Correspondence to Ashley K. Randall.

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Randall, A.K., Hilpert, P., Jimenez-Arista, L.E. et al. Dyadic Coping in the U.S.: Psychometric Properties and Validity for Use of the English Version of the Dyadic Coping Inventory. Curr Psychol 35, 570–582 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-015-9323-0

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