Secondary Gain From Illness Scale Test

In about 8 minutes, see how hidden benefits of being unwell may affect recovery. Get clear insight to target blocks, build motivation, and guide focused therapy goals.
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Questions408 minutes
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08:30
October 2, 2025
October 2, 2025
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How the Scales are Structured
example score
3/5
Autonomy (A)
Measures the degree of independence, self-management, and ability to regulate one’s own activities.
Low autonomy
Moderate autonomy
High autonomy
12.3Low autonomy2.43.6Moderate autonomy3.75High autonomy
A score of 3 indicates a moderate level of autonomy, suggesting a mixed pattern of self-directed regulation with some reliance on external structure or support.
example score
2/5
Recovery Pathways (RP)
Measures the extent to which a person relies on constructive, recovery-supporting strategies to reduce symptoms and promote improvement.
Limited strategies
Developing strategies
Strong strategies
12.3Limited strategies2.43.6Developing strategies3.75Strong strategies
A score of 2 indicates relatively limited use of constructive recovery strategies, suggesting fewer identifiable resources currently being mobilized to support improvement.
example score
3/5
Cost of Recovery (CoR)
Measures how much perceived loss or sacrifice in relationships and habitual behaviors is associated with pursuing recovery.
Low perceived cost
Moderate perceived cost
High perceived cost
12.3Low perceived cost2.43.6Moderate perceived cost3.75High perceived cost
A score of 3 indicates a moderate perceived cost of recovery, suggesting you anticipate some meaningful but manageable losses or changes in relationships and behaviors if you get better.
example score
3/5
Recovery Resources (RR)
Measures the emotional and cognitive resources that can be mobilized to support recovery or health improvement.
Limited resources
Moderate resources
Strong resources
12.3Limited resources2.43.6Moderate resources3.75Strong resources
A score of 3 indicates a moderate level of recovery resources, suggesting some supportive potential is present but may be inconsistent or context-dependent.
example score
3/5
Malingering (M)
Measures the tendency to present oneself as ill to obtain sympathy, support, or reduced obligations.
Low
Moderate
High
12Low3Moderate45High
A score of 3 suggests a moderate likelihood of occasionally emphasizing illness-related difficulties in ways that may bring interpersonal or practical benefits.
example score
2/5
Conformity (C)
Measures how strongly a person’s views about their illness are shaped by others’ opinions and expectations.
Low conformity
Moderate conformity
High conformity
12.3Low conformity2.43.6Moderate conformity3.75High conformity
A score of 2 suggests relatively low dependence on others’ opinions, so social expectations are less likely to steer your attitude toward illness.
example score
2/5
Somatization Triggers (ST)
Measures how strongly emotional states are reflected in physical sensations, indicating a tendency toward somatization.
Low
Moderate
High
12.3Low2.43.6Moderate3.75High
A score of 2 falls in the Low range, suggesting emotional strain is less likely to be expressed through physical symptoms in day-to-day experience.
example score
3/5
Regression (R)
Measures the extent to which a person copes with stress by reverting to earlier, less mature behavior patterns.
Low regression
Moderate regression
High regression
12.3Low regression2.43.6Moderate regression3.75High regression
A score of 3 indicates a moderate tendency to fall back on earlier coping patterns under strain, which may intermittently influence recovery-related behavior.
example score
3/5
Overall Level of Secondary Gain From Illness (OLoSGFI)
Measures the overall tendency to obtain psychological or practical benefits from being ill, which can indirectly maintain symptoms or slow recovery efforts.
Low
Moderate
High
12.3Low2.43.6Moderate3.75High
A score of 3 indicates a moderate level of secondary gain, suggesting some illness-related benefits may be present and could influence motivation for change at times.
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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS
Who Usually Takes This Test?
Chronic symptom seekers
41%OF USERS
People with long-running or recurring health complaints who want to understand whether hidden emotional payoffs are keeping symptoms going.
Therapy and counseling clients
34%OF USERS
People already in therapy or coaching who feel stuck in recovery and want clearer insight into the psychological blocks behind it.
Caregivers and helpers
25%OF USERS
Partners, relatives, or support workers trying to make sense of why a loved one may resist getting better and how to support change.
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.
Autonomy (A)
Average
3
Normal range
2.53.5
min.
1
max.
5
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.
Ways to Recover (WtR)
Average
3.3
Normal range
2.74
min.
1
max.
5
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.
Recovery Cost (RC)
Average
2.1
Normal range
1.62.7
min.
1
max.
5
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.
Recovery Resources (RR)
Average
3.1
Normal range
2.63.6
min.
1
max.
5
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.
Simulation (S)
Average
2.3
Normal range
1.72.8
min.
1
max.
5
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.
Conformity (C)
Average
3.1
Normal range
2.63.6
min.
1
max.
5
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.
Triggers of Somatization (ToS)
Average
2.8
Normal range
2.33.3
min.
1
max.
5
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.
Regression (R)
Average
2.5
Normal range
1.93.1
min.
1
max.
5
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.
Overall level of secondary gain from illness (Olosgfi)
Average
3.7
Normal range
3.14.2
min.
1
max.
5
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

Any questions left?

What does this questionnaire measure?
It screens for potential psychological benefits linked to being ill that can reduce motivation for recovery. It highlights patterns that may maintain or worsen symptoms.
What kinds of benefits are assessed?
It covers factors such as increased attention, reduced demands, avoidance of difficult situations, and permission to rest. These factors may operate outside of conscious awareness.
How long does it take and how many items are included?
Completion time is about 8 minutes. The questionnaire includes 40 items.
How should items be answered?
Select the response that best reflects typical thoughts, feelings, or behaviors rather than a single recent event. If unsure, choose the closest option and avoid overthinking.
How should results be used?
Results are intended to support clinical formulation and treatment planning by identifying barriers and usable resources. They are not a medical diagnosis and should be interpreted alongside clinical information.
WHAT THE TEST MEASURES
About This Assessment
Secondary Gain from Illness Test

Secondary Gain From Illness Scale Test

This self-report measure examines potential psychological and interpersonal reinforcements that may be associated with maintaining illness-related behaviors. The Secondary Gain From Illness Scale is intended to support clinical case formulation by identifying perceived benefits of illness (e.g., increased attention, relief from demands) that could influence motivation for change.

It consists of 40 items and typically takes about 8 minutes to complete. Results are best interpreted in context and used to guide collaborative discussion and treatment planning rather than as a standalone indicator of intent or malingering. The Secondary Gain From Illness Scale may be useful as part of a broader assessment when exploring barriers to recovery and factors that may sustain health-related difficulties.

Author: k-d-williams
Literature: Kroenke, K. Patients presenting with somatic complaints: Epidemiology, psychiatric comorbidity and management. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research. 2003.; Friedman, W. J. The benefits of suffering and the costs of well being: Secondary gains and losses. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 2000.
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