German adaptation and validation of the coping flexibility scale in healthy individuals and patients with lymphedema.

BACKGROUND

Coping flexibility - the ability to abandon ineffective coping strategies and adopt alternative approaches - is a relatively new construct in stress research. A German version of the Coping Flexibility Scale-Revised (CFS-R) has been lacking and new approaches in stress management for patients with lymphedema are warranted. This study aimed to translate and validate the CFS-R in German and to examine its predictive utility for perceived stress.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted comprising two samples: Sample 1 (healthy individuals (N = 306)) and Sample 2 (patients with lymphedema (N = 493)). The CFS-R was translated following standard guidelines, and participants completed a set of psychological questionnaires. Factor structure, reliability, and predictive validity were assessed.

RESULTS

The original 3-factor CFS-R structure was confirmed in both samples. Coping flexibility subscales accounted for 15.5% of the variance in perceived stress. Recoping and psychological flexibility predicted lower stress, while metacoping and abandonment were not significant. Results did not differ for samples.

DISCUSSION: The German CFS-R demonstrated good reliability and validity. Recoping flexibility emerged as a central predictor of lower stress in both healthy and clinical populations. Coping flexibility appears relevant for stress regulation.