Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire

What it measures

Measures nine distinct cognitive strategies people use to regulate emotions following negative events. Distinguishes adaptive strategies (positive reappraisal, refocus on planning, putting into perspective) from maladaptive strategies (self-blame, catastrophising, rumination). Includes an 18-item short version (CERQ-Short).

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

Nine subscale scores; no total score recommended. Freely available from Nadia Garnefski. Each subscale is a 4-item scale. Adaptive subscales negatively predict anxiety and depression; maladaptive subscales positively predict psychopathology. CERQ-Short (18 items) available.

Recommended companion scales

Citation

Garnefski, N., Kraaij, V., & Spinhoven, P. (2001). Negative life events, cognitive emotion regulation and emotional problems. Personality and Individual Differences, 30(8), 1311–1327.

Keywords