Objectives Children's and adolescents' coping styles are associated with distress and adjustment. Despite the significance and implications of children's coping responses, no accepted standard exists to measure children's coping behavior. The purpose of the present study was standardization and study of the psychometric properties of Children's Coping Behavior Questionnaire (CCBQ) in Northern Iran (Guilan). Methods This was a correlation study and was implemented among 10-to 16-year-old students of Guilan. Among statistical population, 300 students (139 girls and 161 boys with an average age of 13.23) were selected using multistage sampling, and they responded to the items in CCBQ. To assess reliability and validity we used Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and convergent validity. The reliability was assessed by using two methods; Cronbach's alpha and test-retest. The face validity and construct validity of the questionnaire were approved by a professors of psychology. Results Based on factor analysis using principal components and varimax rotation, final analyses revealed a 41-item coping measure with a 3-factor solution of "diversion", "ameliorative coping", and "destructive coping", which explained more than 60.9% of the total variance. Convergence validity of the questionnaire showed a satisfactory correlation in the total score of CCBQ. To determine concurrent validity with the CCBQ we used State-Trait Anxiety Children Inventory correlations that were satisfactory (P<0.05). Cronbach's alpha and test-retest for the total scale were between 0.74 and 0.91. The measurement showed strong reliability and good preliminary validity data. Conclusion Our results established that the Children's Coping Behavior Questionnaire is a reliable and valid method and is capable to be used in Iranian society to investigate emotional problems. Future studies need to be undertaken in a clinical population.

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