Deal With It: Responses to Everyday Problems and Successes

Complete the questionnaire below to better understand how you cope with positive and negative events!  This questionnaire has been developed by research psychologists who study emotion regulation.

 

Part 1

Below are situations that people are likely to encounter in day-to-day life, followed by several common reactions to those situations. As you read each scenario, try to imagine yourself in that situation. Then indicate how likely you would be to react in each of the ways described. We ask you to rate all responses because people may feel or react more than one way to the same situation, or they may react different ways at different times. For example:

Event: You wake up early one Saturday morning. It is cold and rainy outside.
Not likely   Somewhat likely   Very likely Response
a. You would telephone a friend to catch up on news.
b. You would take the extra time to read the paper.
c. You would feel disappointed that it’s raining.
d. You would wonder why you woke up so early.

In the above example, I’ve rated all of the responses by selecting a radio button. I selected "not likely" for response (a) because I wouldn’t want to wake up a friend very early on a Saturday morning -- so it’s not at all likely that I would do that. I selected "very likely" for response (b) because I almost always read the paper if I have time in the morning. I selected "somewhat likely" for response (c) because for me it’s about half and half. Sometimes I would be disappointed about the rain and sometimes I wouldn’t -- it would depend on what I had planned. And I selected the button between "somewhat likely" and "very likely" for answer (d) because I would probably wonder why I had awakened so early.

Now it's your turn! Please do not skip any items -- rate all responses.

Event #1: You make plans to meet a friend for lunch. At 5 o’clock, you realize you stood your friend up.
Not likely   Somewhat likely   Very likely Response
a. You would think: “I’m inconsiderate.”
b. You would think: “Well, my friend will understand.”
c. You would think you should make it up to your friend as soon as possible.
d. You would think: “My boss distracted me just before lunch.”

 

Event #2: You break something at work and then hide it.
Not likely   Somewhat likely   Very likely Response
a. You would think: “This is making me anxious. I need to either fix it or get someone else to.”
b. You would think about quitting.
c. You would think: “A lot of things aren’t made very well these days.”
d. You would think: “It was only an accident.”

 

Event #3: You are out with friends one evening, and you’re feeling especially witty and attractive. Your best friend’s spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend seems to particularly enjoy you company.
Not likely   Somewhat likely   Very likely Response
a. You would think: “I should have been aware of what my best friend was feeling.”
b. You would feel happy with your appearance and personality.
c. You would feel pleased to have made such a good impression.
d. You would think your best friend should pay attention to his/her spouse.
e. You would probably avoid eye contact for a long time.

 

Event #4: At work, you wait until the last minute to plan a project, and it turns out badly.
Not likely   Somewhat likely   Very likely Response
a. You would feel incompetent.
b. You would think: “There are never enough hours in the day.”
c. You would feel: “I deserve to be reprimanded for mismanaging the project.”
d. You would think: “What’s done is done.”

 

Event #5: You make a mistake at work and find out a coworker is blamed for the error.
Not likely   Somewhat likely   Very likely Response
a. You would think the company did not like the coworker.
b. You would think: “Life is not fair.”
c. You would keep quiet and avoid the coworker.
d. You would feel unhappy and eager to correct the situation.

 

Event #6: For several days you put off making a difficult phone call. At the last minute you make the call and are able to manipulate the conversation so that all goes well.
Not likely   Somewhat likely   Very likely Response
a. You would think: “I guess I’m more persuasive than I thought.”
b. You would regret that you put it off.
c. You would feel like a coward.
d. You would think: “I did a good job.”
e. You would think you shouldn’t have to make calls you feel pressured into.

 

Event #7: While playing around, you throw a ball and it hits your friend in the face.
Not likely   Somewhat likely   Very likely Response
a. You would feel inadequate that you can’t even throw a ball.
b. You would think maybe your friend needs more practice at catching.
c. You would think: “It was just an accident.”
d. You would apologize and make sure your friend feels better.

 

Event #8: You have recently moved away from your family, and everyone has been very helpful. A few times you needed to borrow money, but you paid it back as soon as you could.
Not likely   Somewhat likely   Very likely Response
a. You would feel immature.
b. You would think: “I sure ran into some bad luck.”
c. You would return the favor as quickly as you could.
d. You would think: “I am a trustworthy person.”
e. You would be proud that you repaid your debts.

 

Event #9: You are driving down the road, and you hit a small animal.
Not likely   Somewhat likely   Very likely Response
a. You would think the animal shouldn’t have been on the road.
b. You would think: “I’m terrible.”
c. You would feel: “Well, it was an accident.”
d. You’d feel bad you hadn’t been more alert driving down the road.

 

Event #10: You walk out of an exam thinking you did extremely well. Then you find out you did poorly.
Not likely   Somewhat likely   Very likely Response
a. You would think: “Well, it’s just a test.”
b. You would think: “The instructor doesn’t like me.”
c. You would think: “I should have studied harder.”
d. You would feel stupid.

 

Event #11: You and a group of coworkers worked very hard on a project. Your boss singles you out for a bonus because the project was such a success.
Not likely   Somewhat likely   Very likely Response
a. You would feel the boss is rather short-sighted.
b. You would feel alone and apart from your colleagues.
c. You would feel your hard work had paid off.
d. You would feel competent and proud of yourself.
e. You would feel you should not accept it.

 

Event #12: While out with a group of friends, you make fun of a friend who’s not there.
Not likely   Somewhat likely   Very likely Response
a. You would think: “It was all in fun; it’s harmless.”
b. You would feel small...like a rat.
c. You would think that perhaps that friend should have been there to defend him/herself.
d. You would apologize and talk about that person’s good points.

 

Event #13: You make a big mistake on an important project at work. People were depending on you, and your boss criticizes you.
Not likely   Somewhat likely   Very likely Response
a. You would think your boss should have been more clear about what was expected of you.
b. You would feel like you wanted to hide.
c. You would think: “I should have recognized the problem and done a better job.”
d. You would think: “Well, nobody’s perfect.”

 

Event #14: You volunteer to help with the local Special Olympics for handicapped children. It turns out to be frustrating and time-consuming work. You think seriously about quitting, but then you see how happy the kids are.
Not likely   Somewhat likely   Very likely Response
a. You would feel selfish, and you’d think you are basically lazy.
b. You would feel you were forced into doing something you did not want to do.
c. You would think: “I should be more concerned about people who are less fortunate.”
d. You would feel great that you had helped others.
e. You would feel very satisfied with yourself.

 

Event #15: You are taking care of your friend’s dog while your friend is on vacation and the dog runs away.
Not likely   Somewhat likely   Very likely Response
a. You would think, “I am irresponsible and incompetent.”
b. You would think your friend must not take very good care of the dog or it wouldn’t have run away.
c. You would vow to be more careful next time.
d. You would think your friend could just get a new dog.

 

Event #16: You attend your coworker’s housewarming party and you spill red wine on a new cream-colored carpet, but you think no one notices.
Not likely   Somewhat likely   Very likely Response
a. You think your coworker should have expected some accidents at such a big party.
b. You would stay late to help clean up the stain after the party.
c. You would wish you were anywhere but at the party.
d. You would wonder why your coworker chose to serve red wine with the new light carpet.

 

Part 2

Please indicate how much you agree with each of the following statements.

Strongly disagree Disagree somewhat Neutral Agree somewhat Strongly agree Statement
1. I generally feel accomplished.
2. I’m always trying to figure myself out.
3. I feel that I’m a person of worth, at least on an equal basis with others.
4. I generally feel snobbish.
5. In most ways my life is close to my ideal.
6. I’m concerned about my style of doing things.
7. I feel that I have a number of good qualities.
8. I think about myself a lot.
9. I generally feel pompous.
10. I generally feel successful.
Strongly disagree Disagree somewhat Neutral Agree somewhat Strongly agree Statement
11. I care a lot about how I present myself to others.
12. On the whole, I am satisfied with myself.
13. I often daydream about myself.
14. I generally feel stuck-up.
15. The conditions of my life are excellent.
16. I am able to do things as well as most other people.
17. I’m self-conscious about the way I look.
18. I generally feel conceited.
19. I never take a hard look at myself.
20. I take a positive attitude toward myself.
Strongly disagree Disagree somewhat Neutral Agree somewhat Strongly agree Statement
21. I generally feel like I am achieving.
22. I usually worry about making a good impression.
23. I generally feel egotistical.
24. I generally pay attention to my inner feelings.
25. I am satisfied with my life.
26. All in all, I am inclined to feel that I’m a failure.
27. I feel I do not have much to be proud of.
28. Before I leave my house, I check how I look.
29. I generally feel fulfilled.
30. I’m constantly thinking about my reasons for doing things.
Strongly disagree Disagree somewhat Neutral Agree somewhat Strongly agree Statement
31. I wish I could have more respect for myself.
32. I generally feel like I have self-worth.
33. I’m concerned about what other people think of me.
34. I generally feel arrogant.
35. So far I have gotten the important things I want in life.
36. I sometimes step back (in my mind) in order to examine myself from a distance.
37. I generally feel smug.
38. I certainly feel useless at times.
39. I’m usually aware of my appearance.
40. I generally feel confident.
Strongly disagree Disagree somewhat Neutral Agree somewhat Strongly agree Statement
41. I’m quick to notice changes in my mood.
42. I generally feel productive.
43. At times I think I am no good at all.
44. I know the way my mind works when I work through a problem.
45. If I could live my life over, I would change almost nothing.

 

Part 3

For each of the following items, please indicate how often you felt or behaved this way during the past 7 days.

Rarely (Less than 1 day) Some of the time (1-2 days) A moderate amount of time (3-4 days) Most or all of the time (5-7 days) Statement
1. I was bothered by things that usually don’t bother me.
2. I did not feel like eating; my appetite was poor.
3. I felt that I could not shake off the blues even with help from my family or friends.
4. I felt that I was just as good as other people.
5. I had trouble keeping my mind on what I was doing.
6. I felt depressed.
7. I felt that everything I did was an effort.
8. I felt hopeful about the future.
9. I thought my life had been a failure.
10. I felt fearful.
Rarely (Less than 1 day) Some of the time (1-2 days) A moderate amount of time (3-4 days) Most or all of the time (5-7 days) Statement
11. My sleep was restless.
12. I was happy.
13. I talked less than usual.
14. I felt lonely.
15. People were unfriendly.
16. I enjoyed life.
17. I had crying spells.
18. I felt sad.
19. I felt that people dislike me.
20. I could not get “going.”

 

Part 4

Before submitting your responses, please answer a few questions about yourself.

About You

What is your gender? Male Female

What is your age? years

What is your ethnicity?

What is your religious affiliation?

Where would you place yourself on the following spectrum of social class?

What is the highest level of formal education that you have completed?

What is your current marital status?

If you currently live outside of the United States, in what country do you live?

Are you a fluent speaker of English? Yes No

Have you completed this questionnaire before? Yes No