French-Canadian adaptation and validation of the adolescents’ Pain Coping Questionnaire

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.