Table of Contents

Description

The Coping Questionnaire, developed by Orford et al. in 2001 and 2005, is a standardized assessment tool designed to evaluate the coping strategies employed by family members of individuals struggling with substance use, specifically focusing on alcohol, drugs, and gambling. This questionnaire aims to capture various aspects of the distress experienced by family members and the methods they use to cope with the challenges posed by their loved one’s addiction, thereby providing insights into both the psychological strain and the coping mechanisms prevalent in such familial settings.

Authors and Contact Email

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

Purpose

The purpose of the Coping Questionnaire is to assess the coping strategies of family members affected by a relative’s addiction, helping to identify both healthy and maladaptive responses to stress associated with this experience.

Test Year

2001, 2005

Administration Method and Scoring

The Coping Questionnaire is administered through self-reporting by family members, who must respond to items reflecting their behaviors and feelings in relation to the addicted individual. Scoring is based on a scale where responses are rated as 0 (NO), 1 (ONCE OR TWICE), 2 (SOMETIMES), or 3 (OFTEN). The total scores are then calculated for three distinct sub-scales.

Reliability and Validity

Information not available

Factors and Subscales

1. Engaged Coping (CQ-E): Items include 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 25, 26, and 28.
2. Tolerant Inactive Coping (CQ-T): Items include 3, 4, 10, 14, 20, 23, 24, 27, and 30.
3. Withdrawal Coping (CQ-W): Items include 2, 8, 12, 15, 18, and 29. Additionally, scores for items 5 and 22 are subtracted, with 6 added to ensure all values remain positive.

Keywords

Coping, Addiction, Family Members, Psychosocial Assessment, Substance Use, Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling.

Items of Coping Questionnaire

1. Refused to lend her money or to help her out financially 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?

References

http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/files/3013/0948/1376/assessment%20tools%20stress%20strain%20support.doc
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