Adolescent Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences ( A-COPE )

Overview

Acronym: 
A-COPE
Author(s): 
Patterson, J.M., & McCubbin, H.I.
Author Contact: 
Hamilton McCubbin, Ph.D.
Citation: 
Patterson, J. M. & McCubbin, H.I. (1987). Adolescent coping style and behaviors: conceptualizations and measurement. Journal of Adolescence, 10, 153-186. McCubbin, H.I., & Thompson, A.I. (Eds.). (1987). Family assessment inventories for research and practice. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press.
To Obtain: 
Contact author. The items are also available in Patterson & McCubbin (1987) and on the website (below).
Email: 
hamiltonmccubbin@earthlink.net
WebSite: 
chipts.ucla.edu/assessment/Assessment_Instruments/Assessment_files_new/assess_acope.htm
Cost: 
$0.00
Copyright: 
Yes
Description: 
The Adolescent Coping Orientation for Problem Behaviors (A-COPE) is a 54 item self-report questionnaire used to identify coping strategies employed by adolescents.
Theoretical Orientation Summary: 
Integrated coping theory and family stress theory to assess adolescent coping behaviors and style.
Domains Assessed: 
Coping repertoire /skills /style - maladaptation
Languages: 
English (USA)
Spanish
Age Range: 
11-18 Years
Measure Type: 
General Assessment
Number of Items: 
54
Measure Format: 
Questionnaire
Time to Complete: 
10
Reporter: 
Self
Score Time: 
5
Education Level: 
99
Periodicity: 
not provided
Response Format: 
5-point Likert scale: 1=never, 2=hardly ever, 3=sometimes, 4=often, 5=most of the time
Materials Needed: 
Paper and pencil
Materials Notes: 
Age range, time to complete, and time to score are estimates given the length of the scale and data provided in articles regarding the ages of the adolescents with which the measure has been used. Data on education level needed are missing.
Information Provided: 
Areas of concern/risks
Continuous assessment
Raw Scores
Strengths

Training

Training to Administrator: 
Not Available
Training to Interpret: 
Not Available
Training Notes: 
No training information was noted in any article.

Psychometrics

Global Rating: 
Basic properties established by author(s)
Norms: 
None

Pros & Cons

Pros: 
1. A comprehensive self-report questionnaire investigating coping skills. 2. The items are short and easy to understand. 3. Has been used with diverse populations, and versions (altered) exist in multiple languages including Spanish and Chinese. 4. Although the measure is often scored differently across studies, examinations of correlations with A-COPE-derived scales generally seem to be showing that the items are tapping important aspects of adolescent coping. 5. The measure is free.
Cons: 
1. The A-COPE appears to have been scored differently. depending on the study and population. People do not appear to adhere to single standard for scoring the measure. Thus, while the measure taps important constructs, it is difficult to use the measure to compare across studies and to even know how to score the measure. 2. Test-retest reliability has not yet been established. 3. As the original A-COPE was developed based on junior and senior high school students, some researchers (Copeland & Hess, 1995) suggest creating a separate factor structure for early adolescents for better understanding of how coping changes through adolescence and for greater specificity.

Author Comments

Author Comments: 
Dr. Patterson provided comment on the review. Dr. Hamilton could not be contacted.
Citation for Review: 
Deborah Augenbraun, Ph.D., Chandra Ghosh Ippen, Ph.D.
Editor of Review: 
Chandra Ghosh Ippen, Ph.D.
Last Updated: 
Fri, 07/06/2007
PDF Available: 
Yes
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