This stress or problem coping list is based on the theories as described in this URL :

https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontopsychology/chapter/15-2-stress-and-coping/

This test intends to measure reponses to “problems” occuring in a persons life and how someone copes with it, the coping style. The test has 30 items and takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete. 

The three phases as mentioned in the article are further broken down in the following scales which are focussed on how a person behaves when coping with problems. The effect of problems on a persons health or otherwise are not measured with this test. The scales are fairly self explanatory and can be easily correlated to the items. The items have been formulated in such a way that they should have a high correlation to the scales. 

Active problem resolution; does a person show behaviour to actively solve the problem

Distract or avoid the problem; does a person distract him/herself from the problem

Find support; find help for solving the problem

Express emotion; express emotions when coping with the problem 

Comforting behaviour; comfort or pamper yourself when experiencing a problem

These scales are a form of subset of the COPE inventory. 

Please note that some scale descriptions might imply a negative load. Like distracting from the problem might implicate that this means the person does not want to solve the problem. On the positive side it might mean that the person manages to live with the problem fairly well. Take this in account when evaluating the test results. 

This test has no norms and that is intentional. The test gives scores on the scales. The highest scoring scales are the most dominant way of coping with problems. 

Use the following URLs to start this test. 

You can also copy one of these URLs in an e-mail to a candidate. When the candidate has finished the test a URL is presented that they can forward to a consultant. The consultant can then review the test results with this URL. 

PCS test in English

PCS test in Dutch / Nederlands