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+The Brief COPE

Carver (1997)

Topic: Coping and Adaptive Responding - Brief Cope Measure

Description of Measure: 

The Brief COPE includes only 28 items, which measure 14 conceptually differentiable coping reactions. Some of these reactions are known to be generally adaptive: others are known to be problematic. The Brief COPE thus provides researchers a way to assess potentially important coping responses quickly.

Response Options:

Response options in this format range from 0 (i haven't been doing this at alI) to 3 (I've been doing this a lot)

Items: 

  1. Active Coping
    I’ve been concentrating my efforts on doing something about the situation I’m in.
    I’ve been taking action to try to make the situation better.
  2. Planning
    I’ve been trying to come up with a strategy about what to do.
    I’ve been thinking hard about what steps to take
  3. Positive Reframing
    I’ve been trying to see it in a different light, to make it seem more positive.
    I’ve been looking for something good in what is happening.
  4. Acceptance
    I’ve been accepting the reality of the fact that it has happened.
    I’ve been learning to live with it.
  5. Humor
    I’ve been making jokes about it.
    I’ve been making fun of the situation.
  6. Religion
    I’ve been trying to find comfort in my religion or spiritual beliefs.
    I’ve been praying or meditating.
  7. Using Emotional Support
    I’ve been getting emotional support from others.
    I’ve been getting comfort and understanding from someone.
  8. Using Instrumental Support
    I’ve been trying to get advice or help from other people about what to do.
    I’ve been getting help and advice from other people.
  9. Self Distraction
    I’ve been turning to work or other activities to take my mind off things.
    I’ve been doing something to think about it less, such as going to movies, watching TV, reading, daydreaming, sleeping, or shopping.
  10. Denial
    I’ve been saying to myself “this isn’t real.”
    I’ve been refusing to believe that it has happened
  11. Venting
    I’ve been saying things to let my unpleasant feelings escape.
    I’ve been expressing my negative feelings.
  12. Substance Use
    I’ve been using alcohol or other drugs to make myself feel better.
    I’ve been using alcohol or other drugs to help me get through it.
  13. Behavioral Disengagement
    I’ve been giving up trying to deal with it.
    I’ve been giving up the attempt to cope.
  14. Self-Blame
    I’ve been criticizing myself.
    I’ve been blaming myself for things that happened.

Citation:

Carver, C. S. (1997). You want to measure coping but your protocol’ too long: Consider the brief cope. International journal of behavioral medicine, 4(1), 92. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327558ijbm0401_6 Links to an external site..

Link to PDF: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1207%2Fs15327558ijbm0401_6.pdf Links to an external site.

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