Can J Pain. 2026 Apr 16;10(1):2650298. doi: 10.1080/24740527.2026.2650298. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain affects one in four children, making it the fourth leading cause of disability among youth. The Pain Coping Questionnaire (PCQ) is a well-established instrument for assessing pain-related coping responses; however, no validated French-Canadian version currently exists.
AIMS: This research sought to adapt and validate a French-Canadian PCQ (PCQ-F) version for adolescents with musculoskeletal conditions.
METHODS: The PCQ was translated into French and reviewed for clarity before its administration to adolescents (ages 10-20) experiencing significant musculoskeletal pain. Validity was evaluated through exploratory factor analysis and its correlation with the Child Post-Traumatic Stress Reaction Index (CPTS-RI), and reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha.
RESULTS: The adaptation and validation of a French-Canadian version of the PCQ involved 176 participants and resulted in a 35-item instrument with seven first-order scales. Behavioral and Cognitive Distraction, Externalizing, Seeking Social Support, and Internalizing/Catastrophizing showed significant (p < 0.05) but weak correlation (rs ≤ 0.36) with the CPTS-RI. The factorial structure explained 65.40% of the variance and demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency for both first- and second-order scales (α ≥ 0.608).
CONCLUSION: This study addresses the lack of a validated French-Canadian version of the PCQ. Through a cross-cultural adaptation and validation, the resulting PCQ-F demonstrates similar psychometric properties and a factor structure largely consistent with the original instrument. The PCQ-F offers a valid and reliable tool for assessing pain-related coping responses and may support both clinical assessment and future research aimed at promoting adaptive coping and reducing maladaptive cognitive and behavioral responses to pain.
PMID:42005454 | PMC:PMC13089925 | DOI:10.1080/24740527.2026.2650298
