Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES) for family physicians. METHOD: The study is a correlational cross-sectional type of methodological study conducted with 255 family physicians. In the research, data were collected using descriptive data record form and the CSES. The collected data were analyzed using the following statistical methods: "Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA)," "Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA)," "Cronbach's Alpha." RESULTS: This study involved family physicians (mean age: 38.5 ± 10.1, 59.2% women), with 72.2% married and 59.6% having children. Work settings varied, with 39.2% in family health centers, 38.0% in university hospitals, and 16.5% in state hospitals. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on the CSES, revealing a three-factor model with strong validity (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) =0.956). The model exhibited good fit indices (χ² =61.432, df = 132, P = 1.000; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) =0.000; goodness of fit (GFI) =0.998; comparative fit index (CFI) =1.00; incremental fit index (IFI) =1.003; relative fit index (RFI) =0.997; normed fit index (NFI) =0.997). Reliability was high (Cronbach's α =0.978), indicating robust internal consistency across factors. This instrument appears reliable and valid for assessing family physicians' self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Findings affirm the reliability and validity of the CSES instrument in assessing self-efficacy among family physicians, providing a valuable tool for understanding and enhancing their professional capabilities in diverse healthcare settings.