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Autonomy-Dependence Questionnaire

Autonomy vs. Dependence Profile Assessment Test

Understand how you make decisions and manage tasks in just 4 minutes. This 18 question assessment offers clear, age-appropriate insight to tailor support, learning, or counseling.

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Questions: 184 minutes

Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

25,193 views

2,552 completions

2,082 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

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How the Scales are Structured

example score

13/18

Autonomy-Dependence Scale (ADS)

Measures the degree to which a person acts independently versus relying on external guidance when organizing activities and making decisions.

More dependent

Mixed style

More autonomous

0 – 8: More dependent | 9 – 11: Mixed style | 12 – 18: More autonomous

A score of 13 falls in the More autonomous range, suggesting a tendency toward self-directed decision-making and greater reliance on one’s own judgment than on external instructions.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Parents and caregivers

41%OF USERS

They take it to understand whether a child needs clear guidance or thrives with more independence at home and school.

Teachers and school counselors

34%OF USERS

They use it to tailor instruction and support by seeing how students organize tasks and respond to direction.

Coaches and HR specialists

25%OF USERS

They administer it to predict how teens or adults will handle new responsibilities, make decisions, and adapt to changing demands.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

Scale Results
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Your scores across each test scale are translated into plain, usable insights. You won’t just get numbers — you’ll learn how your results impact your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

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Interpretation

You’ll receive a structured, clinically-grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation, without exaggerated language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how your results compare to others. Anonymized platform data is used to create a percentile scale, which identifies whether your results are typical.

Practical
Recommendations

You’ll receive clear, actionable guidance tailored to your profile. These easy-to-implement suggestions focus on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

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Insights

Get insights on behavioral and thought patterns you might not notice on your own. By uncovering subtle connections between your responses, you’ll better understand what may be driving your current results.

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Clarify, reflect, and explore your results right away. Talk through your experience, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue.

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Autonomy-Dependence Scale (AS)

Average

5.8

Normal range

2.7 — 8.9

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?

It screens the degree of independent self-direction versus reliance on external guidance when organizing activities and making decisions.

Who can complete it?

Age-adapted versions are available for adults, teenagers, and younger school-age children. A projective format is used for very young children.

How long does it take and how many items are included?

Completion time is typically about 4 minutes. The form contains 18 questions.

How should responses be selected?

Select the option that best reflects typical behavior rather than a preferred or ideal response. Answer all items and use the same time frame across items.

How are results used in practice?

Results inform the level of structure, instruction, and support likely to be effective in learning, counseling, or work settings. They may also help anticipate adjustment to new tasks and changing conditions.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Autonomy vs. Dependence Profile Assessment Test - Symptoms and Signs

autonomy self-regulation

This brief self-report measure is designed to assess individual differences in autonomy versus dependence in everyday decision-making and self-regulation. The Autonomy-Dependence Questionnaire provides a structured way to describe the extent to which a person tends to act independently versus rely on external direction (Deci & Ryan). It consists of 18 items and typically requires about 4 minutes to complete.

Results are intended to support clinical formulation and planning by clarifying a respondent’s characteristic approach to initiating actions, making choices, and managing tasks. The Autonomy-Dependence Questionnaire may be used as an adjunct to interview and other assessment data to inform how supports, instruction, or therapeutic strategies are tailored, while recognizing that findings should be interpreted in context rather than as a standalone diagnosis.

Author: Edward L. Deci, Richard M. Ryan

Literature: Zimmerman, B. J. Attaining self-regulation: A social cognitive perspective. In M. Boekaerts, P. R. Pintrich, & M. Zeidner (Eds.), Handbook of self-regulation. Academic Press. 2000.; Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Plenum Press. 1985.

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