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.

Response format

Likert (1–5, almost never to almost always)

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)

Usage notes & scoring

Freely available from Nadia Garnefski. Nine subscale scores of 2 items each; no total score recommended. Adaptive subscales negatively predict anxiety and depression; maladaptive subscales positively predict psychopathology. The CERQ (full 36-item version) is preferred when more reliable subscale scores are needed.

Recommended companion scales

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.

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