LAUSR

BACKGROUND Currently, there are no assessment tools for measuring coping strategies for stress at work in the Korean language. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to translate the Latack Coping Scale to workplace stress into Korean and examine its psychometric properties in a Korean working population. METHODS Translation of the the Latack Coping Scale was performed according to the scientific guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation. Two hundred and forty one general workers in Korea completed the new Korean version of the Lactack Coping Scale as well as the Type D Personality Scale-14 (negative affectivity). Psychometric properties (reliability and validity) were evaluated. RESULTS Factor analysis yielded a model that was consistent with the originally proposed subscales of the questionnaire. Good to excellent internal consistency and measurement consistency over a one week interval were obtained for five subscales (Cronbach's alpha; 0.61 to 0.86 and ICC (2.2); 0.80 to 0.87). Escape coping scales were positively associated with Type D personality while control coping scales were negatively associated with Type D personality. CONCLUSIONS This Korean version of the Latack Coping Scale has shown excellent validity and reliability in the Korean working population. Organizations investigating work stress and coping methods in Korean workers can use this instrument with confidence.