Ruminative Response Scale

What it measures

Measures repetitive passive focus on distress and its causes. Brooding (passive comparison with unachieved standards) is maladaptive and specifically predicts depressive episodes. Reflection (purposeful inward turning) is less maladaptive. Central to Response Styles Theory.

Response format

Likert (1–4, almost never to almost always)

Representative items

• Think about how alone you feel.
• Think 'Why do I have problems other people don't have?'
• Write down what you are thinking about and analyse it. (Reflection)
• Think about how sad and unmotivated you feel.
• Go someplace alone to think about your feelings.

This is a licensed instrument — representative items are shown for reference only. Obtain the original scale materials from the publisher before use in research.

Usage notes & scoring

The 5-item Brooding subscale is most clinically significant — it specifically predicts depressive episodes. Widely used as a mediator in CBT outcome research. RRS-10 short form available.

Recommended companion scales

Citation

Nolen-Hoeksema, S., & Morrow, J. (1991). A prospective study of depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms after a natural disaster. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61(1), 115–121.

Keywords