[The Bern Coping Forms BEFO--an instrument for self- and observer rating of coping with illness]

Coping is an integral part of any illness behaviour, and has major implications inter alia for the doctor-patient relationship, hence, indirectly also for rehabilitation outcome. The Berne Coping Forms BEFO permit coping representation, for one, from the perspective of the observer (observer rating) and, for the other, from that of the patient (self-rating). The instrument is applicable for any diagnostic area or context, whether preventive programme, acute or chronic conditions, rehabilitation, or assessment of stressors in carers or relatives, and many more. The instrument is comprised of 30 categories of coping modes, oriented by three dimensions (action-,cognitive and emotion-related). Numerous studies have demonstrated adequacy of the instrument's psychometric properties. Associations between observer and self-rating are good, as is repeat reliability of the self-rating form, while the required reliability levels are reached in observer repeat ratings. Interrater agreement is good even with minimal previous training. The instrument has stood the test for differentiated assessment of coping modes in varying forms of illness-generated stress. It moreover permits characterization of coping style changes over time, i.e. in the different disease phases. Also, sociocultural differences and coping effectiveness can be substantiated. BEFO interpretation is determined by the research focus at hand, and presupposes differentiated evaluation of illness behaviour. Training and instruction are thoroughly dealt with in a manual, and comparative videos can be made available.