Ruminative Responses Scale

Questions

22

Duration

8 min

Original title

RRS-22 — Ruminative Responses Scale

Adaptation

Ruminative Responses Scale

Authors

Nolen-Hoeksema, S. & Morrow, J. ; Treynor, W., Gonzalez, R., & Nolen-Hoeksema, S.

Created

1991 ; 2003

Example result

What the test measures

When and why to use it

The questions

1. People think and do many different things when they feel depressed. Please read each of the items below and indicate whether you almost never, sometimes, often, or almost always think or do each one when you feel down, sad, or depressed. Please indicate what you generally do, not what you think you should do.
   1. I think about how lonely I feel.
   Assesses the tendency to focus on feelings of social isolation during depressive episodes.
   • Almost never
   • Sometimes
   • Often
   • Almost always
2. 2. I think, 'I won't be able to do my work if I can't pull myself together.'
   Probes catastrophic thinking regarding the functional consequences of negative mood.
   • Almost never
   • Sometimes
   • Often
   • Almost always
3. 3. I think about my feelings of fatigue and pain.
   Evaluates somatic fixation and the degree to which physical lethargy occupies attention.
   • Almost never
   • Sometimes
   • Often
   • Almost always
4. 4. I think about how hard it is for me to concentrate.
   Measures the awareness of and dwelling on cognitive impairment associated with dysphoria.
   • Almost never
   • Sometimes
   • Often
   • Almost always
5. 5. I think, 'What have I done to deserve this?'
   Captures self-blaming rumination and the search for personal fault in distress.
   • Almost never
   • Sometimes
   • Often
   • Almost always
6. 6. I think about how passive and unmotivated I feel.
   Assesses the repetitive focus on behavioral inhibition and lack of drive.
   • Almost never
   • Sometimes
   • Often
   • Almost always
7. 7. I analyze recent events to try to understand why I'm depressed.
   Probes the analytic, backward-looking attempt to find a situational cause for low mood.
   • Almost never
   • Sometimes
   • Often
   • Almost always
8. 8. I think about the fact that I don't seem to feel anything anymore.
   Evaluates the cognitive focus on anhedonia and emotional numbness.
   • Almost never
   • Sometimes
   • Often
   • Almost always
9. 9. I think, 'Why can't I get started?'
   Measures frustration with psychomotor retardation or difficulty initiating action.
   • Almost never
   • Sometimes
   • Often
   • Almost always
10. 10. I think, 'Why do I always react this way?'
    Captures self-critical generalization and frustration with internal coping mechanisms.
    • Almost never
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Almost always
11. 11. I isolate myself and think about the reasons why I feel this way.
    Assesses the behavioral response of social withdrawal to facilitate emotional analysis.
    • Almost never
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Almost always
12. 12. I write down what I'm thinking and analyze it.
    Probes the use of journaling or externalized reflection to dissect negative affect.
    • Almost never
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Almost always
13. 13. I think about a recent situation, wishing it had gone better.
    Evaluates counterfactual thinking and regret regarding past interpersonal or situational events.
    • Almost never
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Almost always
14. 14. I think, 'I won't be able to concentrate if I keep feeling like this.'
    Measures future-oriented anxiety about ongoing cognitive deficits due to mood.
    • Almost never
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Almost always
15. 15. I think, 'Why do I have problems that other people don't have?'
    Captures the comparative aspect of brooding, highlighting feelings of uniquely unfair burden.
    • Almost never
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Almost always
16. 16. I think, 'Why can't I handle things better?'
    Assesses perceived deficits in personal resilience and coping efficacy.
    • Almost never
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Almost always
17. 17. I think about how sad I feel.
    Evaluates direct, unmediated attention to the primary emotion of sadness.
    • Almost never
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Almost always
18. 18. I think about all my shortcomings, failures, faults, and mistakes.
    Probes global self-devaluation and the retrieval of negative autobiographical memories.
    • Almost never
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Almost always
19. 19. I think about the fact that I don't feel capable of doing anything.
    Measures the cognitive reinforcement of behavioral paralysis and perceived inability.
    • Almost never
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Almost always
20. 20. I analyze my personality to try to understand why I'm depressed.
    Assesses the tendency to attribute low mood to stable character traits rather than states.
    • Almost never
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Almost always
21. 21. I go somewhere alone to think about my feelings.
    Evaluates intentional isolation used as a strategy for inward emotional focus.
    • Almost never
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Almost always
22. 22. I think about how angry I am at myself.
    Probes the presence of self-directed hostility and anger secondary to depressed mood.
    • Almost never
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Almost always