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Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM)

Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM) Test

See how strongly you track others’ moods and fear criticism or rejection in about 5 minutes. This 22 item check gives a clear, practical profile to guide therapy, coaching, and communication goals.

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Questions: 225 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

25,904 views

1,722 completions

1,442 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

14/24

Fear of Rejection (FoR)

This scale measures how strongly a person worries about being rejected, misunderstood, or negatively judged in relationships.

Low

Moderate

High

6 – 11: Low | 12 – 17: Moderate | 18 – 24: High

A score of 14 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a noticeable but not extreme concern about rejection or negative evaluation in interpersonal situations.

example score

23/36

Dependence on Others' Evaluations (DoOE)

Measures how strongly a person relies on others’ opinions and approval when evaluating themselves and their actions.

Low dependence

Moderate dependence

High dependence

9 – 17: Low dependence | 18 – 26: Moderate dependence | 27 – 36: High dependence

A score of 23 falls in the moderate range, suggesting others’ evaluations matter noticeably but are not the sole driver of self-appraisal.

example score

65/88

Interpersonal Sensitivity Scale (ISS)

Measures overall sensitivity to interpersonal cues and perceived reactions from others in social situations.

Lower sensitivity

Moderate sensitivity

Higher sensitivity

22 – 44: Lower sensitivity | 45 – 66: Moderate sensitivity | 67 – 88: Higher sensitivity

A score of 65 falls in the Moderate sensitivity range, suggesting a noticeable attentiveness to others' opinions and reactions that may influence social confidence at times.

example score

17/28

Interpersonal Worry (IW)

Measures how much a person worries about potential threats to close relationships, such as conflict, rejection, or breakup.

Low

Moderate

High

7 – 13: Low | 14 – 21: Moderate | 22 – 28: High

A score of 17 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a noticeable but not extreme tendency to worry about relationship stability and possible negative outcomes in close interactions.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Anxious social overthinkers

41%OF USERS

People who often replay conversations, fear criticism or rejection, and want to understand how strongly others’ opinions affect them.

Therapy and counseling clients

33%OF USERS

Clients working on anxiety, self-esteem, or relationship patterns who need a quick snapshot of sensitivity to social cues and negative evaluation.

Coaches and helping professionals

26%OF USERS

Psychologists, counselors, and coaches using a brief screening tool to tailor support for clients who seek approval and react strongly to feedback.

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

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly

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.

AI-Powered
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.

AI-Powered
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.

Discuss with
an AI Therapist

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.

Fear of rejection (For)

Average

16.2

Normal range

13 — 19.3

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.

Dependence on Ratings (DoR)

Average

Normal range

17.7 — 24.3

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.

Interpersonal Sensitivity Scale (ISS)

Average

47.2

Normal range

37.6 — 56.8

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.

Anxiety in UFOs (AiU)

Average

21.9

Normal range

18.5 — 25.3

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 measures sensitivity to social cues, concern about others’ reactions, and worry about criticism or rejection. It also reflects the tendency to seek approval and reassurance in relationships.

Who is this questionnaire intended for?

It is intended for adults and older adolescents in clinical, counseling, or research settings. It may be useful when social anxiety, rejection sensitivity, or persistent interpersonal worry is a concern.

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

Completion typically takes about five minutes. The questionnaire includes 22 items.

How should responses be completed?

Each item should be answered based on typical feelings and behavior rather than a single recent event. Responses should be provided without overthinking to reflect usual patterns.

How should results be interpreted?

Higher scores generally indicate greater interpersonal sensitivity and stronger concern about evaluation by others. Results should be interpreted alongside clinical interview findings or other relevant measures rather than used as a standalone diagnosis.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Interpersonal Sensitivity Questionnaire, IPSM Test

Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM) Test - Symptoms and Signs

close relationships fear of negative evaluation

This self-report questionnaire assesses interpersonal sensitivity, including tendencies toward heightened concern about others’ reactions and vulnerability to perceived criticism or rejection. The Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM) was developed to support efficient clinical screening and to inform case formulation where social-evaluative concerns may be relevant.

It consists of 22 items and typically takes about 5 minutes to complete. Responses are summed to provide an index of interpersonal sensitivity severity; results are intended to be interpreted in context alongside clinical interview findings and other assessment data.

The Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM) was originally described by G. Boyce and P. Parker. It may be useful in both clinical and counseling settings when clarifying patterns of social threat sensitivity, reassurance-seeking, and related interpersonal distress.

Author: G. Boyce, P. Parker

Literature: Boyce, P., & Parker, G. Development of a scale to measure interpersonal sensitivity. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 1989.

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