Abstract
This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of a modified sport psychology instrument in firefighters and explore the associations between psychological skills and coping strategies. Career firefighters completed an online survey assessing psychological skills and coping strategies. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed on the modified Athletic Skills Coping Inventory (ACSI) and the Brief Cope (BC). Subsequent exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and covariance modeling were performed on the ACSI and bivariate correlations between the refined ACSI and BC were assessed. The refined ACSI included four factors and model fit exceeded fit recommendations. Nine significant relationships between the modified ACSI and BC were found. Excellent psychometric properties of the refined ACSI instrument provide preliminary evidence of the appropriateness, meaningfulness, and usefulness of the instrument in firefighters. However, modifications should be made that address the scale weaknesses before implementation.