Home
Psychological tests
Scale of Covert and Overt Emotional Abuse (SOPAS)

Scale of Covert and Overt Emotional Abuse (SOPAS) Test

In about 7 minutes, it helps clarify subtle and overt emotional abuse and the psychological impact in a relationship. Use it to gauge severity, track change over time, and support safer next steps.

Start Online Test

Questions: 357 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

23,163 views

1,287 completions

1,038 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

105/175

Covert and Overt Emotional Abuse (CaOEA)

Measures how frequently covert and overt emotionally abusive partner behaviors are experienced in a relationship.

Low indications

Moderate indications

High indications

0 – 58: Low indications | 59 – 116: Moderate indications | 117 – 175: High indications

A score of 105 falls in the Moderate indications range, suggesting a fairly frequent presence of emotionally abusive behaviors, though this scale has no normative cutoffs for definitive interpretation.

Start Online Test

just completed the test

DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Women doubting their relationship

46%OF USERS

Women who feel uneasy, confused, or worn down by a partner’s behavior and want to understand whether it counts as emotional abuse.

Clients in counseling

33%OF USERS

Women already talking with a therapist about relationship distress who need a clearer picture of covert versus overt abusive patterns.

Researchers and clinicians

21%OF USERS

Psychologists, counselors, and students using a validated questionnaire to screen for emotional abuse and track changes over time.

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.

Start Online Test

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.

Scale of Covert and Overt Emotional Abuse (SoCaOEA)

Average

78.9

Normal range

49.7 — 108.1

min.

max.

175

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.

Start Online Test

Featured On

CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?

It measures the frequency of covert and overt emotionally abusive partner behaviors. It captures subtle actions (such as ignoring or condescension) and explicit actions (such as insults or devaluation).

Who is this questionnaire intended for?

It is intended for adult women in couple relationships. It is designed for use in research or clinical settings where emotional abuse is being assessed.

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

Estimated completion time is about 7 minutes. The questionnaire includes 35 items.

How should the items be answered?

Each item is rated based on how often the described partner behavior occurs. Responses should reflect typical experiences over a relevant recent period.

How are results used and what do they mean?

Scores indicate the overall level of emotional abuse and can be compared across time points to track change. Results support assessment and case formulation but do not provide a diagnosis.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Scale of Covert and Overt Emotional Abuse (SOPAS) Test - Symptoms and Signs

abuse

This measure is designed to assess experiences of emotional abuse within an intimate relationship, with attention to both subtle and more explicit forms. The Scale of Covert and Overt Emotional Abuse (SOPAS) asks respondents to rate the frequency of specific partner behaviors that may reflect psychological mistreatment.

The instrument includes 35 items and typically takes about 7 minutes to complete. Items reflect a range of potentially abusive behaviors (e.g., dismissive or ignoring responses, put-downs, devaluation, and overt insults) and can support clinical screening, case formulation, and monitoring change over time. The Scale of Covert and Overt Emotional Abuse (SOPAS) was developed by Marshall, L.

Author: Marshall, L.

Literature: Marshall, L. L. Psychological abuse in intimate relationships: A review of existing measures. Journal of Family Violence. 1999.

Test Question Form