Self-Tests

Coping with Trouble

Discover Your Own
Spiritual Coping Style

For the last 15 years, psychologist Dr. Ken Pargament has studied the role of spirituality and religion in people grappling with illness, deaths of loved ones, being fired, major crimes, terrorism, and war. He has challenged popular stereotypes about religion and documented the many faces of faith in coping with crisis. To help people better understand their own spiritual coping styles, regardless of doctrine, he has created this self-measure.

You can complete the Check-Up in about five minutes. Then consider how your own style may help or hinder you in times of crisis.

Self-Directing Style
Deferring Style
Collaborative Style

People have many different definitions and images of the higher power or spiritual core that we often call God. Please use your own definition when answering these questions.

After you read each statement, circle the number that indicates how often the statement applies to you.

1 = Never | 2 = Occasionally | 3 = Fairly Often | 4 = Very Often | 5 = Always
1. When it comes to deciding how to solve a problem, God and I work together as partners.
Never 1 2 3 4 5 Always
2. After I've gone through a rough time, I try to make sense of it without relying on God.
Never 1 2 3 4 5 Always
3. In carrying out solutions to my problems, I wait for God to take control and know somehow He will work it out.
Never 1 2 3 4 5 Always
4. When faced with trouble, I deal with my feelings without God's help.
Never 1 2 3 4 5 Always
5. When a situation makes me anxious, I wait for God to take those feelings away.
Never 1 2 3 4 5 Always
6. Together, God and I put my plans into action.
Never 1 2 3 4 5 Always
7. I do not think about different solutions to my problems because God provides them for me.
Never 1 2 3 4 5 Always
8. When I feel nervous or anxious about a problem, I work with God to find a way to relieve my worries.
Never 1 2 3 4 5 Always
9. When thinking about a difficulty, I try to come up with possible solutions without God's help.
Never 1 2 3 4 5 Always

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