Researchers have asserted that patients who generally rely on powerful external sources to control their disorders can benefit from examining their coping mechanisms, which can potentially lead to a better understanding of the initiation and progression of some chronic diseases. By trusting their own internal powers and virtues, it is possible for some people to discover and navigate available strategies to balance and enhance their psycho-spiritual well-being and possibly their treatment and recovery. This review serves as a user manual for investigators who choose to use the CSI-SF to conduct their research on coping behaviors. The CSI-SF, which measures four coping strategies based on 16 items, was first assessed using the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) cohort in 2007. The reliability and construct validity of the CSI-SF was also later assessed among hemodialysis patients across 13 countries. In this study, the CSI-SF was assessed to be a reliable and valid instrument for measuring coping strategies. The CSI-SF serves the purpose of developing an inner voice that can assist with understanding how people cope with everyday life. The information gathered from the administration of the CSI-SF can inform investigators about environmental cues and triggers that can also impact individual health.
Keywords: African Americans; CSI-SF; Jackson Heart Study; coping; reliability; validity.