Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire – Short

What it measures

An 18-item short version of the CERQ measuring nine distinct cognitive strategies for regulating emotions following negative events. Distinguishes adaptive strategies (positive reappraisal, refocus on planning, putting into perspective, positive refocusing) from maladaptive strategies (self-blame, catastrophising, rumination, other-blame). Two items per subscale.

Representative items

• I think that I have to accept that this has happened. (Acceptance)
• I think that I am the one to blame for it. (Self-Blame)
• I often think about how I feel about what I have experienced. (Rumination)
• I think of nicer things than what I have experienced. (Positive Refocusing)
• I think I can learn something from the situation. (Positive Reappraisal)

Citation

Garnefski, N., & Kraaij, V. (2006). Cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire – development of a short 18-item version (CERQ-short). Personality and Individual Differences, 41(6), 1045–1053.