The Ways of Religious Coping Scale: Reliability, Validity, and Scale Development

Abstract

Ample evidence suggests stress can have serious effects on both physical and mental health. This has motivated researchers to investigate which coping strategies lead to more adaptive responses. One such strategy receiving an increasing amount of attention is religious coping. However, the measurement of religious coping needs further development. The present study reports the development and preliminary reliability and validity studies of the Ways of Religious Coping Scale (WORCS). This scale is a self-report instrument for assessing the degree and kind of religious cognitions and behaviors people use to cope with stress. Results indicate the WORCS is psychometrically sound and may be a useful tool for future research in the area of religious coping.