Introduction and aims: Although coping styles in individuals with eating disorders have received increased research interest in recent years, there remains a lack of brief, self-report measures that can reliably measure coping. This study developed an English version of the Utrecht Coping List (UCL) and evaluated its psychometric properties in a UK population.
Method: This was a cross-sectional study. Three hundred and fifteen participants completed the UCL and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced scale (Carver, Scheier & Weintraub, 1989). Of these, 124 completed the UCL again 6 weeks later.
Results: The UCL demonstrated strong internal consistency. Five of the seven subscales had good test-retest reliability. With the exception of the expression of emotion subscale in men, concurrent validity with the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced subscales was good.
Discussion: Although its use with men requires further investigation, this translated version of the UCL represents a reliable and valid measure of coping in women.
Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.