NATURE OF COPING STRATEGIES IN CONJUGAL R ELATIONSHIPS - INTRODUCTIONOF A BRIEF VERSION OF THE WAYS OF COPING QUESTIONNAIRE

Recent results underline the need for a reexamination of dimensions de scribing the concept of coping strategies. The aim of this study was t o uncover stable and strong coping dimensions of the Ways of Coping Qu estionnaire (WCQ), with a large sample of couples. The sample consiste d of 1012 individuals, coming from 506 couples, who completed the WCQ. Factorial analyses showed that the WCQ was based on three clear and e asily reproduced dimensions (seeking social support, positive reapprai sal/planful problem solving and distancing/avoidance). These results a re discussed in the light of available theoretical coping models.