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Coping with Harassment Questionnaire
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About Coping with Harassment Questionnaire
Scale Name
Coping with Harassment Questionnaire
Author Details
Fitzgerald, L. F.
Translation Availability
English, Urdu

Background/Description
The Coping with Harassment Questionnaire (CHQ) is a self-report instrument developed to assess the strategies individuals employ when dealing with experiences of sexual harassment. Recognizing that individuals may respond to harassment in diverse ways, the CHQ evaluates a range of coping mechanisms across different dimensions. The questionnaire comprises 50 items, categorized into ten subscales, each representing a specific coping strategy:
- Detachment: Emotionally distancing oneself from the harassment experience.
- Denial: Refusing to acknowledge the occurrence or impact of harassment.
- Relabeling: Reinterpreting the harassment in a less negative or more benign light.
- Illusory Control: Believing one can control or influence the harasser’s behavior.
- Endurance: Persisting in the face of harassment without taking action.
- Avoidance: Physically or psychologically avoiding the harasser or situations where harassment may occur.
- Assertion/Confrontation: Directly addressing or challenging the harasser’s behavior.
- Seeking Institutional/Organizational Relief: Reporting the harassment to authorities or utilizing formal organizational channels.
- Social Support: Seeking emotional or practical assistance from friends, family, or colleagues.
- Appeasement: Attempting to placate the harasser to mitigate the situation.
Respondents rate each item on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from “Strongly Disagree” to “Strongly Agree,” reflecting the extent to which they have employed each coping strategy. The CHQ has been widely used in research to explore the relationship between coping strategies and various outcomes, such as psychological well-being and job satisfaction, among individuals who have experienced harassment.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a Copy: Access the CHQ through academic publications or by contacting the author for permission to use the instrument in research or organizational assessments.
- Explain the Purpose: Inform participants that the CHQ aims to assess the various strategies they may have used in response to experiences of harassment, contributing to a better understanding of coping mechanisms.
- Provide Instructions: Instruct participants to reflect on their experiences with harassment and indicate the extent to which they have employed each coping strategy, using the provided 5-point Likert scale.
- Approximate Time: The CHQ typically takes approximately 15–20 minutes to complete.
- Administer the Scale: Ensure participants complete the questionnaire in a confidential and comfortable environment, encouraging honest and thoughtful responses.
Reliability and Validity
The CHQ has demonstrated strong psychometric properties. Studies have reported high internal consistency for the overall scale and its subscales, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients indicating reliable measurement across various coping strategies.
Validity analyses have shown significant correlations between CHQ scores and related constructs, such as stress and psychological well-being, supporting its construct validity. These findings suggest that the CHQ is an effective tool for assessing coping responses to harassment across diverse populations.
Available Versions
50-Items
Reference
Fitzgerald, L. F. (1990, January). Assessing strategies for coping with sexual harassment: A theoretical/empirical approach. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN PSYCHOLOGY.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Coping with Harassment Questionnaire (CHQ)?
The CHQ is designed to assess the various strategies individuals employ in response to experiences of harassment, encompassing a wide range of coping mechanisms.
Who developed the CHQ?
The CHQ was developed by Dr. Louise F. Fitzgerald in 1990 to provide a comprehensive tool for evaluating coping responses to harassment.
How is the CHQ structured?
The questionnaire includes 50 items divided into ten subscales, each representing a specific coping strategy, such as detachment, denial, avoidance, and seeking social support.
How is the CHQ administered?
Participants self-report their coping responses by indicating the extent to which they have used each strategy in reaction to harassment experiences, using a 5-point Likert scale.
Is the CHQ a reliable and valid measure?
Yes, the CHQ has demonstrated high reliability and validity in assessing coping strategies across diverse populations and settings.
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