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Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS-18)

Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS-18) Test

Understand how much you get stuck in repetitive, distressing thoughts in about 4 minutes. Get clear, actionable insights to guide targeted coping strategies and track change over time.

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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

27,579 views

1,565 completions

1,341 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

7/12

Loneliness (L)

Assesses how strongly a person tends to dwell on feelings of loneliness and related thoughts.

Low

Moderate

High

3 – 5: Low | 6 – 9: Moderate | 10 – 12: High

A score of 7 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a noticeable but not pronounced tendency to ruminate on loneliness-related experiences.

example score

6/12

Analysis (A)

Measures the tendency to reflect on low mood with some emotional distance rather than becoming absorbed in repetitive negative thinking.

Low analysis

Moderate analysis

High analysis

3 – 5: Low analysis | 6 – 8: Moderate analysis | 9 – 12: High analysis

A score of 6 falls in the Moderate analysis range, suggesting a balanced level of reflective distancing that may sometimes support constructive problem-focused thinking.

example score

15/20

Searching for Global Explanations (SfGE)

Measures how strongly a person tends to ruminate on setbacks by searching for broad, global causes and meanings.

Low

Moderate

High

5 – 9: Low | 10 – 14: Moderate | 15 – 20: High

A score of 15 falls in the High range, indicating a pronounced tendency to explain negative events through broad, global causes, which can reinforce unproductive repetitive thinking.

example score

21/28

Anergia (A)

Assesses how strongly a person tends to ruminate on tiredness and reduced energy.

Low

Moderate

High

7 – 13: Low | 14 – 20: Moderate | 21 – 28: High

A score of 21 falls in the High range, suggesting a pronounced focus on fatigue and low energy in repetitive thinking.

example score

53/72

Rumination (R)

Assesses the tendency toward persistent, repetitive thinking about feelings and problems that can interfere with constructive problem-solving.

Low

Moderate

High

18 – 35: Low | 36 – 54: Moderate | 55 – 72: High

A score of 53 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a noticeable tendency toward repetitive, cyclical thinking that may sometimes make it harder to move from reflection to action.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Stuck in past thoughts

41%OF USERS

People who keep replaying upsetting events and want to know how strong their tendency to mentally “chew” on them really is.

Anxiety or low mood seekers

34%OF USERS

Those noticing anxiety or a drop in mood who suspect repetitive thinking is fueling it and want a quick check of rumination patterns.

Therapy-focused self trackers

25%OF USERS

Clients in counseling who want a clear baseline and a way to monitor whether targeted techniques are reducing unproductive looping thoughts.

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

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

What You’ll See After You Finish the Test

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly

Your scores across each test scale, translated into plain, usable insights. Not just numbers, but what they actually mean for your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

AI-Powered
Interpretation

A structured, clinically grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation — without alarmist language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how you compare to others. Your scores are placed in a statistical context, showing percentiles and trends based on anonymized platform data to help you understand what`s typical.

Practical
Recommendations

Actionable guidance tailored to your profile. Receive clear, realistic suggestions you can apply immediately — focused on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

AI-Detected
Insights

Key patterns you might not notice on your own. Surfacing subtle connections in your responses that help you better understand what may be driving your current results.

Discuss with
an AI Psychologist

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

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you finish the test, your results will be compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of the benchmarks we use to place your score in context.

Experiencing Loneliness (EL)

Average

9.3

Normal range

8 — 10.6

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

Analysis (A)

Average

5.7

Normal range

4.5 — 6.9

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

Searching for global explanations (Sfge)

Average

11.2

Normal range

8.6 — 13.8

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

Anergy (A)

Average

13.1

Normal range

9.6 — 16.6

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

Rumination Scale (RS)

Average

39.2

Normal range

31.6 — 46.9

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?

It measures the tendency to engage in repetitive, unproductive thinking about problems, past events, and negative feelings. It focuses on persistent mental replay and analysis that does not lead to resolution.

How long does it take to complete and what is the format?

Completion typically takes about 4 minutes. It consists of 18 statements rated by selecting the response option that best matches usual thinking.

What time frame should be used when answering items?

Responses should reflect typical patterns rather than a single day. If unsure, select the option that best represents the most common experience.

How should results be interpreted?

Higher scores indicate a stronger tendency toward repetitive thinking and greater fixation on distressing content. Subscale scores can show the main direction of the repetitive thoughts.

Is this a diagnostic instrument for mental disorders?

It is a screening measure of a cognitive style and does not provide a diagnosis by itself. Results should be considered alongside clinical interview and other assessment information.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS-18) Test - Symptoms and Signs

cbt rumination

This self-report measure assesses a person’s tendency to engage in repetitive, persistent thinking about distress and its implications. The Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS-18) is commonly used to characterize ruminative response styles associated with emotional distress.

It consists of 18 items and typically takes about 4 minutes to complete. Items query how individuals think or respond when feeling down or upset, supporting clinical case formulation and monitoring change over time. The measure is attributed to Sonja Lyubomirsky, Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, and Jannay Morrow.

Scores from the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS-18) are interpreted as an index of ruminative tendency rather than as a standalone diagnosis, and should be considered alongside clinical interview data and other validated measures as appropriate.

Author: Jannay Morrow, Sonja Lyubomirsky, Susan Nolen-Hoeksema

Literature: Susan Nolen-Hoeksema. Responses to depression and their effects on the duration of depressive episodes. Journal of Abnormal Psychology. 1991.; Treynor, W., Gonzalez, R., & Nolen-Hoeksema, S. Rumination reconsidered: A psychometric analysis. Cognitive Therapy and Research. 2003.

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