Coping Questionnaire

Abstract

The Coping Questionnaire (CQ) is a specialized psychometric instrument designed to assess the specific coping strategies employed by family members who are affected by a relative’s problematical use of alcohol, drugs, or gambling. Developed by Orford and colleagues, this 30-item scale measures how affected family members respond to the stress and strain associated with addiction within the family unit. The CQ divides coping behaviors into three distinct factors: Engaged Coping, Tolerant Inactive Coping, and Withdrawal Coping, providing a nuanced perspective on family adaptation and reaction patterns.

Keywords

Coping Questionnaire, family coping, addiction, alcohol dependence, psycho-social stress, strain, family interventions, mental health

Authors

Orford, J., Templeton, L., Velleman, R., Copello, A.

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Purpose

The primary purpose of the Coping Questionnaire is to provide researchers and clinicians with a standardized tool for systematically measuring the behaviors and methods family members utilize when facing the challenges imposed by a relative’s addictive behavior. It aims to move beyond simple assessments of stress to categorize the specific actions taken—or avoided—by family members.

This scale is crucial for understanding the dynamic interplay between the relative’s substance use and the family’s adaptive or maladaptive responses. By identifying patterns of Engaged Coping (active attempts to change or manage the situation), Tolerant Inactive Coping (passive acceptance or enabling behaviors), and Withdrawal Coping (emotional and physical distancing), the CQ informs targeted therapeutic interventions for affected family members.

Construct

The Coping Questionnaire measures the construct of coping strategies specific to family members of individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). It is structured around three distinct subscales, derived from extensive research into family responses to addiction:

• Engaged Coping (CQ-E): Represents active, confronting, or problem-solving efforts. This includes setting boundaries, communicating clearly about expectations, arguing, or seeking financial solutions.
• Tolerant Inactive Coping (CQ-T): Characterized by passive responses, emotional distress, helplessness, enabling behaviors (such as covering up or making excuses), or failing to make decisions.
• Withdrawal Coping (CQ-W): Involves behaviors aimed at distancing the self from the relative or the problem, such as avoidance, pursuing personal interests outside the home, or acting as if the problem does not exist.

Validity

The CQ was developed as part of a set of standardized questionnaires designed to assess stress, coping, and strain, demonstrating strong theoretical grounding based on models of family adaptation to chronic stress. The three-factor structure (CQ-E, CQ-T, and CQ-W) has been empirically supported through factor analysis, confirming that the items reliably group into these conceptually distinct categories of response.

Content validity is high, as the items were derived from qualitative research and clinical observations of common family responses to alcohol, drug, and gambling problems. Construct validity is supported by findings showing that different coping profiles correlate predictably with measures of family strain and psychological distress, establishing its utility in clinical and research settings focused on family resilience.

Reliability

Studies examining the psychometric properties of the CQ, particularly those published in high-impact journals like Addiction, indicate good internal consistency for the primary subscales. The scales typically yield acceptable to strong Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, suggesting that the items within each subscale reliably measure the intended underlying coping dimension.

Specifically, the Engaged Coping and Withdrawal Coping subscales generally show high reliability, crucial for accurately differentiating active versus avoidant strategies. The stability of these measures over time (test-retest reliability) further confirms the scale’s robustness for longitudinal studies tracking changes in coping behavior following treatment or intervention.

Factor Analysis

The structure of the Coping Questionnaire was established through factor analysis, which consistently identified three orthogonal (independent) factors corresponding to the three modes of coping. This three-factor model provides a more detailed picture of family dynamics than simple unidimensional coping measures.

The scoring procedure reflects this factor structure:

Engaged Coping sub-scale (CQ-E): Sum score for items: 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 25, 26, and 28.

Tolerant Inactive Coping sub-scale (CQ-T): Sum scores for items: 3, 4, 10, 14, 20, 23, 24, 27, and 30.

Withdrawal Coping sub-scale (CQ-W): Sum scores for items: 2, 8, 12, 15, 18, and 29. Note: Scores for items 5 and 22 are subtracted, and then 6 is added (to ensure all values for CQ-W are positive). Item 5 (talking frankly about the drinking) contributes positively to CQ-E but negatively to CQ-W, reinforcing the conceptual distinction between engagement and withdrawal.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report questionnaire, Psychometric scale

Format: 30 items administered using a 4-point Likert scale.

Language Available: English (Primary)

Population Group: Affected family members (partners, spouses, close relatives).

Age Group: Adults (typically spouses/partners of those with addiction).

Population Details: Individuals living with or significantly affected by a relative’s problematic use of alcohol, drugs, or gambling.

Test Methodology: Respondents indicate the frequency with which they engaged in each coping behavior over a specified period, using the following scale:

• 0 = NO
• 1 = ONCE OR TWICE
• 2 = SOMETIMES
• 3 = OFTEN

Keywords

Family stress, maladaptive coping, enabling behavior, psychometrics, active coping, withdrawal, alcohol problems

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Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: N/A (Not provided in source material)

Affiliation Email addresses: N/A (Not provided in source material)

Correspondence Address: Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling and Addiction Research Group, School of Psychology, The University of Birmingham (as per copyright information).

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Copyright: Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling and Addiction Research Group, School of Psychology, The University of Birmingham.

Test Year: First published/validated in 2005 (Orford et al., 2005).

Availability: The instrument is often made available for non-commercial research purposes. The original DOC file containing the scale items and scoring instructions can be accessed here: http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/files/3013/0948/1376/assessment%20tools%20stress%20strain%20support.doc

Reference’s

Orford, J., Templeton, L., Velleman, R. & Copello, A. (2005). Family Members of Relatives with Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Problems: A set of standardized questionnaires for assessing stress, coping and strain. Addiction, 100 (11), 1611-1624.

Orford, J., Templeton, L., Velleman, R., & Copello, A. (2010). Methods of assessment for affected family members. Drugs: education, prevention and policy, 17(S1). doi: 10.3109/09687637.2010.514783

Orford, J. (2014). Testing the short questionnaire for family members affected by addiction: help required. At: http://www.afinetwork.info/research-articles/371-testing-the-short-questionnaire-for-family-members-affected-by-addiction-help-required

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Items of the Coping Questionnaire

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

1. Refused to lend her money or to help her out financial in other ways?
2. Put the interests of other members of the family before hers?
3. Put yourself out for her, for example by getting her to bed or by clearing up mess after her after she had been drinking?
4. Given her money even when you thought it would be spent on drink?
5. Sat down together with her and talked frankly about what could be done about her drinking?
6. Started an argument with her about her drinking?
7. Pleaded with her about her consumption of alcohol?
8. When she was under the influence of drink, left her alone to look after herself or kept out of her way?
9. Made it quite clear to her that her drinking was causing you upset and that it had got to change?
10. Felt too frightened to do anything?
11. Tried to limit her drinking by making some rule about it, for example forbidding drinking in the house, or stopping her bringing drinking friends home?
12. Pursued your own interests or looked for new interests or occupation for yourself, or got more involved in a political, church, sports or other organization?
13. Encouraged her to take an oath or promise not to drink?
14. Felt too hopeless to do anything?
15. Avoided her as much as possible because of her drinking?
16. Got moody or emotional with her?
17. Watched her every move or checked up on her or kept a close eye on her?
18. Got on with your own things or acted as if she wasn’t there?
19. Made it clear that you won’t accept her reasons for drinking, or cover up for her?
20. Made threats that you didn’t really mean to carry out?
21. Made clear to her your expectations of what she should do to contribute to the family?
22. Stuck up for her or stood by her when others were criticizing her?
23. Got in a state where you didn’t or couldn’t make any decision?
24. Accepted the situation as a part of life that couldn’t be changed?
25. Accused her of not loving you, or of letting you down?
26. Sat down with her to help her sort out the financial situation?
27. When things have happened as a result of her drinking, made excuses for her, covered up for her, or taken the blame yourself?
28. Searched for her drink or hidden or disposed of it yourself?
29. Sometimes put yourself first by looking after yourself or giving yourself treats?
30. Tried to keep things looking normal, pretended all was well when it wasn’t or hidden the extent of her drinking?