Coping Behaviours Inventory (CBI)

Abstract

The Coping Behaviours Inventory (CBI) is a specialized psychometric instrument designed to assess the specific thoughts and behavioral strategies utilized by individuals diagnosed with alcoholics to prevent, avoid, or control the resumption of heavy drinking. Developed by Litman and colleagues in 1983, the inventory provides crucial insight into the mechanisms of successful abstinence following hospitalization. It is fundamentally linked to the theoretical framework of relapse prevention in substance abuse treatment. The CBI consists of 36 items, categorized into 14 cognitive options and 22 behavioral options, which are rated based on the frequency of their use.

Keywords

Coping, alcohol abuse, addiction, relapse prevention, behavioral strategies, cognitive strategies, abstinence, substance use disorder.

Authors

Litman, G.K., Stapleton, J., Oppenheim, A.N., & Peleg, M.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the CBI is to quantitatively assess the frequency and type of coping responses employed by individuals recovering from alcohol dependence. It specifically measures the range of actions and thoughts used in response to urges or environmental triggers that might lead to a return to heavy drinking.

This assessment is vital for clinical settings, allowing therapists to identify weak coping areas and strengthen adaptive strategies as part of a comprehensive relapse prevention intervention. By distinguishing between effective and ineffective coping patterns, the CBI aids in tailoring individualized treatment plans to maximize the likelihood of sustained sobriety.

Construct

The CBI measures the construct of Coping Behaviours as applied specifically to the context of maintaining sobriety from alcohol. The inventory operationalizes this construct into two distinct, though related, domains based on the nature of the response:

• Cognitive Coping Options: These items focus on internal mental processes, such as positive thinking, rationalization, self-talk, and reviewing negative consequences (14 items).
• Behavioral Coping Options: These items focus on overt actions or avoidance strategies, such as seeking support, changing environment, or engaging in substitute activities (22 items).

The scale assumes that frequent use of adaptive coping strategies, encompassing both cognitive reframing and practical behavioral adjustments, is predictive of successful long-term abstinence among alcoholics.

Validity

While detailed psychometric data requires access to the original journal article, the initial development of the CBI established its content validity based on extensive clinical input regarding behaviors relevant to high-risk drinking situations encountered by recovering individuals. The items were derived from clinical observation and patient reports, ensuring they accurately reflect real-world coping challenges.

The CBI is highly valued in addiction research for its predictive validity, specifically its ability to differentiate between patients who maintain abstinence and those who experience a relapse following treatment. Studies often utilize CBI scores collected during or immediately after treatment as predictors of drinking outcomes over subsequent follow-up periods.

Reliability

Reliability estimates, typically measured through internal consistency (e.g., Cronbach’s Alpha) and test-retest stability, are essential for the appropriate use of the CBI. Research utilizing the CBI generally reports acceptable to good internal consistency for the overall scale and its primary subscales (Cognitive and Behavioral coping factors), confirming that the items consistently measure the intended construct.

Test-retest reliability is crucial given that coping strategies are expected to be relatively stable over short periods during treatment and recovery phases. Adequate reliability ensures that changes in scores reflect genuine shifts in coping strategy use rather than measurement error.

Factor Analysis

The structure of the 36 items suggests an underlying two-factor model: Cognitive Coping and Behavioral Coping. Early factor analysis conducted by the authors supported this conceptual division, reflecting the distinction between internal thought processes and external actions taken to avoid drinking.

Subsequent exploratory factor analysis utilizing the CBI in diverse populations sometimes identifies more nuanced sub-factors, such as social support utilization, avoidance/distraction, and cognitive restructuring specific to craving management. However, the foundational two-factor structure remains the most widely accepted method for scoring and interpreting the results in clinical practice.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report inventory

Format: 36 items, scored on a 4-point frequency scale (0=Usually, 1=Often, 2=Sometimes, 3=Never). Note that lower numerical scores indicate a higher frequency of use of the specific coping behavior.

Language Available: English (Original)

Population Group: Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) / Alcoholics

Age Group: Adult population

Population Details: Originally validated on hospitalized alcoholics receiving structured treatment for dependence, but widely used across various stages of alcohol recovery.

Test Methodology: Self-administered questionnaire designed to assess the frequency of coping mechanism utilization in high-risk situations for relapse.

Keywords

Self-report, psychometric scale, substance dependence, addiction recovery, behavioral inventory, cognitive restructuring.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Information not provided in the source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: Information not provided in the source material.

Correspondence Address: Information not provided in the source material.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Coping Behaviours Inventory (CBI) was first published in 1983. Information regarding specific commercial permissions and licensing fees should be directed toward the publisher of the original journal article (British Journal of Addiction, now known as Addiction). The instrument itself is often utilized freely for non-commercial academic research.

The instrument can be reviewed online via the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) at: http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/html.cfm/index4223EN.html

Reference’s

1. Litman, G.K., Stapleton, J., Oppenheim, A.N., & Peleg, M. (1983). An instrument for measuring coping behaviours in hospitalized alcoholics: Implications for relapse prevention treatment. British Journal of Addiction, 78, 269-276.

Items of the Coping Behaviours Inventory (CBI)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

1. Thinking about how much better off I am without drink .
2. Telephoning a friend
3. Keeping in the company of non-drinkers
4. Thinking positively
5. Thinking of the mess I’ve got myself into through drinking
6. Stopping to examine my motives and eliminating the false ones
7. Thinking of the promises I’ve made to others
8. Staying indoors – hiding
9. Pausing and really thinking the whole alcoholic cycle through
10. Leaving my money at home
11. Recognizing that life is no bed of roses but drink is not the answer
12. Going to an A.A. meeting
13. Knowing that by not drinking I can show my face again without fear of what others will think
14. Cheering myself up by buying myself something special instead
15. Facing up to my bad feelings instead of trying to drown them .
16. Working harder
17. Realizing it’s just not worth it
18. Waiting it out until everything is shut
19. Remembering how I’ve let my friends and family down in the past.
20. Keeping away from people who drink
21. Going for a walk
22. Looking on the bright side and trying to stop making excuses for myself
23. Realizing it’s affecting my health
24. Start doing something in the house
25. Considering the effect it will have on my family
26. Reminding myself of the good life I can have without drink
27. Getting in touch with old drinking friends who are better now
28. Making up my mind that I’m going to stop playing games with myself
29. Eating a good meal
30. Avoiding places where I drank
31. Thinking about all the people who have helped me 3
32. Saying I am well and wish to stay so
33. Going to sleep
34. Remembering how it has affected my family
35. Forcing myself to go to work
36. Trying to face life instead of avoiding it.