Measures anxious expectations of rejection in interpersonal situations.

How do you handle rejection?

The Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ) measures how anxious and expectant you are about being rejected by others. Some people are highly attuned to potential rejection — they expect it, anxiously watch for signs of it, and react strongly when they perceive it.

What rejection sensitivity means

High rejection sensitivity means:

  • You anxiously expect rejection in social situations
  • You readily perceive rejection in ambiguous behavior
  • You overreact to perceived rejection
  • It affects your relationships and well-being

About this scale

Geraldine Downey and colleagues developed the RSQ in the late 1990s. It measures rejection sensitivity as a dispositional trait — a stable pattern of responding to potential rejection.

Research shows that rejection sensitivity is associated with:

  • Relationship difficulties
  • Higher depression and anxiety
  • Hostility and aggression
  • Lower life satisfaction
Rejection sensitivity often develops from early experiences of rejection or maltreatment. It can be addressed through therapy and self-awareness.

Result Interpretation

After completing the 36 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:

  • Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
  • Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
  • Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available

All results are displayed on screen. No account or login needed.