Ways of Coping Questionnaire by Susan Folkman & Richard S. Lazarus

The premier measurement of coping: measures the thoughts and actions people use to handle stressful encounters

Susan Folkman & Richard S. Lazarus

When a boss is angry…when the car won’t start…how do people seek relief from stress? What thoughts and actions let the pressure off so they can continue as normally as possible? The Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WAYS) holds the answer. It measures coping processes—not coping dispositions or styles. As the definitive coping measure, the WAYS can assess and identify thoughts and actions that individuals the use to cope with the stressful encounters of everyday living. It measures coping processes, not coping dispositions or styles. In a variety of studies, researchers have used it to investigate the components and determinants of coping.

Identifies the processes people use in coping with stressful situations
Can be completed in approximately 10 minutes
Ages high school through adult

The WAYS can help counselors work with clients to develop practical coping skills by evaluating their process, their strengths and weaknesses, and providing models of alternative coping mechanisms. The WAYS is excellent for research on coping and scales include: Confrontive Coping, Distancing, Self-Controlling, Seeking Social Support, Accepting Responsibility, Escape-Avoidance, Planful Problem Solving, and Positive Reappraisal.

	Paper by mail		Digital download (PDF)
WAYS Manual/Sampler Set Includes non-reproducible instrument and scoring key marked “sample”		$40.00

WAYS Reproduction License Whether you order the paper form or the PDF/ electronic form, you will receive just one copy of the instrument and written license to reproduce/ administer the purchased number. Includes one copy of the scoring key - does not include the Manual. Pricing depends on quantity - please see below.
	License to Reproduce/Administer
	Number of Participants	Paper by mail		Digital download (PDF)
	1-50		$100.00
	51-100		$110.00
	101-150		$135.00
	151-200		$160.00
	201-250		$200.00
	251-300		$228.00
	301-350		$252.00
	351-400		$288.00
	401-450		$324.00
	451-500		$360.00
	For larger quantities, please contact us

WAYS Web-Based Administration

Let us do the administration for you. We will send you a link to a unique and secure online "control panel" where you will enter clients names and email addresses. Clients will be sent an email with a secure url address to take the evaluation in privacy at their convenience. You can monitor their progress from your control panel. Instruments will be scored and a report returned to you.

WAYS

Web-Based Administration web admin icon

Select the desired number of reports from the drop-down menu. The following volume pricing applies:
Individual Report	$15.00 each
2-10 reports	$12.00 each
11-20 reports	$11.00 each
21-50 reports	$10.00 each
51-100 reports	$9.00 each
For larger quantities, please contact us

See a sample WAYS Report

Get the free Adobe Acrobat here

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Contents of Manual

Development
Procedures for administering and scoring the scale
Some normative data
Empirical support for the scale
Initial psychometric data on the scale

Uses

Helps counselors work with clients to develop practical coping skills by evaluating their style, their strengths and weaknesses, and providing models of alternative coping mechanisms.
Identification of the options for coping and the strategies that were actually used.
Research instrument for studies of the coping process.
Research tool in clinical settings: for example, in relation to types and degree of pathology, or in measuring the effects of interventions.
An evolving strategy for measurement of process
As a stimulus for discussion in clinical, training, and workshop settings

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Eight Coping Factors Measured by the WAYS

Confrontive Coping: describes aggressive efforts to alter the situation and suggests some degree of hostility and risk-taking.
Distancing: describes cognitive efforts to detach oneself and to minimize the significance of the situation.
Self-Controlling: describes efforts to regulate one's feelings and actions.
Seeking Social Support: describes efforts to seek informational support, tangible support, and emotional support.
Accepting Responsibility: acknowledges one's own role in the problem with a concomitant theme of trying to put things right.
Escape-Avoidance: describes wishful thinking and behavioral efforts to escape or avoid the problem. Items on this scale contrast with those on the Distancing scale, which suggest detachment.
Planful Problem Solving: describes deliberate problem-focused efforts to alter the situation, coupled with an analytic approach to solving the problem.
Positive Reappraisal: describes efforts to create positive meaning by focusing on personal growth. It also has a religious dimension.

Inventory Booklet

Individuals respond to each item on a four-point Likert scale, indicating the frequency with which each strategy is used:

0	1	2	3
Does not apply and/or not used	Used somewhat	Used quite a bit	Used a great deal

Example Statements

A.	I talked to someone to find out more about the situation	1	2	3
B.	I criticized or lectured myself	1	2	3
C.	I tried not to burn my bridges, but leave things open somewhat	1	2	3
D.	I hoped for a miracle	1	2	3
E.	I went along with fate; sometimes I just have bad luck	1	2	3