Abstract:
This paper presents a new research tool: the KRSS (Questionnaire on Coping With Ability Loss). The questionnaire is used to determine the stage of the process of coping with ability loss that the interviewee with acquired disability is at. The theoretical premise derives from the classic work by Elisabeth Klibler-Russ (2007) on coping with death, where several subsequent stages were identified: shock and dental; bargaining; depression: acceptance. Work on the questionnaire progressed in several steps: first, characteristic symptoms of each stage were described: then a set of statements linked to each stage was prepared; these were assessed by competent judges; next, the quality and number of statements were verified: a preliminary version of the questionnaire containing 39 sets was used to test 274 persons with acquired disabilities: the accuracy and reliability of each of the five scales and each of their positions was verified on the basis of the results; last, the final version of the questionnaire was produced, containing 27 statements. From this lengthy process was born a tool for diagnosing the current stage of coping with ability loss that is both short and simple to use. An accurate diagnosis of the coping stage may be a good basis for tailoring the professional activisation services to best fit the unique functioning of the individual in question.
