impact factor, citescore
logo
In press
In Press
Recent issue
Recent issue
Recent Supplement
Recent supplement
archives
Archives
articles free
Free to view
Search
Search
 

Full Papers

 

Development of the Fatigue Coping Strategies Questionnaire: a Scleroderma Patient-Centred Intervention Network (SPIN) Cohort Cross-Sectional Study

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

 

  1. Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC; and Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
  2. Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada.
  3. Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada.
  4. Department of Applied Statistics, Social Science, and Humanities, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
  5. Department of Clinical Psychology, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen; and Centre for Mindfulness, Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
  6. Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC; and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada.
  7. Ottawa Scleroderma Support Group, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
  8. Steffens Scleroderma Foundation, Albany, NY, USA.
  9. National Scleroderma Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
  10. Sclérodermie Québec, Longueuil, QC, Canada.
  11. Scleroderma Australia, Melbourne, VIC; and Scleroderma Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
  12. Scleroderma Atlantic, Halifax, NS, Canada.
  13. Scleroderma Society of Ontario, Hamilton, ON; and Scleroderma Canada, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
  14. Service de Médecine Interne, Centre de Référence Maladies Autoimmunes et Autoinflammatoires Systémiques Rares d'Ile de France, de l’Est et de l’Ouest, Hôpital Cochin, Paris; and Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris-Centre, Hôpital Cochin, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.
  15. Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA; and San Diego State University and University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA, USA.
  16. Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, QC; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC; and Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada. brett.thombs@mcgill.ca

Scleroderma Patient-centred Intervention Network Investigators

CER19565
2026 Vol.44, N°8
PI 1551, PF 1561
Full Papers

Free to view
(click on article PDF icon to read the article)

Received: 26/11/2025
Accepted : 23/02/2026
In Press: 19/08/2026
Published: 19/08/2026

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
To develop and validate the Fatigue Coping Strategies Questionnaire (FCSQ), a self-report measure to assess coping with fatigue in systemic sclerosis (SSc).
METHODS:
We generated an initial pool of items by combining content from existing coping questionnaires and fatigue management programs. Items were added, removed, or modified according to Nominal Group Technique (NGT) sessions conducted with individuals with SSc. Candidate items were administered to SPIN Cohort participants. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to determine factor structure, with item reduction based on factor loadings, cross-loadings, and conceptual overlap. Measurement properties were assessed using confirmatory factor analysis, differential item functioning (DIF) by language and disease subtype, and Cronbach’s alpha.
RESULTS:
73 items were reviewed during the 5 NGT sessions (2 English-language, 3 French language) with 19 participants. 36 items were retained and administered to 645 SPIN Cohort participants. EFA identified a 7-factor structure, resulting in a 21-item questionnaire across 7 domains: Rest and Energy Conservation (2 items), Focus on Fatigue (3), Time and Activity Management (6), Ignoring Fatigue (4), Faith-Based Coping (2), Stress Management (2), and Physical Activity (2). Internal consistency was close to or above acceptable across domains (α=0.66 to 0.83). Five items showed significant DIF by language, but none meaningfully influenced scores (r>0.99 between DIF-adjusted and unadjusted models). No DIF was observed by disease subtype.
CONCLUSIONS:
The FCSQ is a valid and reliable measure of fatigue-related coping in SSc. Future research should evaluate the measure’s responsiveness to change and potential adaptation for other chronic conditions.

Rheumatology Article