Full and Short Versions of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations and Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised: Examining Their Factor Structure in a Dutch Outpatient Sex Offender Sample

Inadequate problem solving is associated with recidivism in sex offenders. However, the psychometric properties of two of the most widely used coping self-report questionnaires, the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, have not been established for outpatient sex offenders. Using structural equation modeling, the present study aims to contribute to an empirically based decision as to which version of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations or Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised is best suited to use with forensic outpatient sex offenders. The sample consisted of 530 Dutch sex offenders treated in an outpatient forensic facility. Results support the use of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations-Short Form 20 for identifying problem-solving deficits among outpatient sex offenders, consequently facilitating the assessment of treatment needs.