Speaking in Public Coping Scale (ECOFAP): validity evidence based on internal structure.

PURPOSE: To present the validity evidence of the Speaking in Public Coping Scale (ECOFAP) based on its internal structure. METHODS: This methodological study of instrument development and validation included 1,119 adults who speak in public in academic or professional contexts, with a mean age of 25 years. Most of the sample were females (68.5%) and held a bachelor's degree (58.5%). A self-report questionnaire was used for validation, including: 1) sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex, education, profession); 2) questions about participation in training to improve public communication and public speaking experience in academic and professional contexts; 3) the 48-item Speaking in Public Coping Scale (ECOFAP). Internal consistency analyses (Cronbach's alpha), exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis were performed for the validity evidence stages. RESULTS: ECOFAP had 30 items after finishing the analyses. The results indicated it had good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.87). The instrument presented a factorial structure comprising the Challenge (13 items) and Threat (17 items) factors. Factor loadings ranged from 0.37 to 0.66. CONCLUSION: ECOFAP has a solid internal structure and adequate psychometric properties. It is reliable and valid for self-assessing coping strategies for public speaking among adults in academic and professional contexts.