What Is My Core Wound Quiz
How the Scales are Structured
Who Usually Takes This Test?
See How You Compare
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.
Example Questions From the Test
- I make extra plans and check-ins because I want to protect the bond during the transition.
- I begin grieving the friendship as though losing it is the most likely outcome.
- I expect the friendship to change but believe it can adapt.
- I repeatedly look for proof that I will still matter once they have a new life elsewhere.
- I appreciate it, though part of me questions whether they fully mean it.
- I accept it as one person's genuine positive view of me.
- I feel that they would withdraw the praise if they knew the real me.
- I look for signs that they are simply being polite or want something.
- I become preoccupied with having had no say, even if the practical effect is manageable.
- It evokes strong helplessness regardless of whether the decision has a reasonable basis.
- I seek an explanation or use an available appeal process if the issue matters.
- I identify what I can still influence and choose my next response from there.
What Is My Core Wound Quiz - Description and methodology of the test
People who want to understand recurring reactions in close relationships can use this assessment to organize patterns around attachment, trust, control, and self-worth. The What Is My Core Wound Quiz is designed for self-reflection when uncertainty, criticism, dependence, or separation feels especially charged. As an emotional wounds quiz, it offers a profile of themes to examine rather than a fixed explanation of your history.
What This Assessment Explores
Situations include delayed replies, changed plans, limited influence, dependence, praise, rejection, and uncertainty about motives. This core wound assessment describes how vulnerability may be interpreted and managed, while leaving the cause of those reactions open. Together, the dimensions concern relationship expectations, trust, agency, and self-evaluation:
- Abandonment and Disconnection (0-12) reflects separation concerns; bands: 0-4 Background Theme, 5-8 Recurring Sensitivity, 9-12 Strong Affinity.
- Betrayal and Mistrust (0-12) reflects doubts about reliability; bands: 0-4 Background Theme, 5-8 Recurring Sensitivity, 9-12 Strong Affinity.
- Powerlessness and Loss of Control (0-12) reflects distress when choice or influence is limited; bands: 0-4 Background Theme, 5-8 Recurring Sensitivity, 9-12 Strong Affinity.
- Rejection and Unworthiness (0-12) reflects sensitivity to criticism or exclusion; bands: 0-4 Background Theme, 5-8 Recurring Sensitivity, 9-12 Strong Affinity.
Methodology and Evidence Base
Methodologically, the questionnaire uses situational self-report: each prompt describes a social or relational event and offers four possible responses representing different ways of interpreting or managing that situation. The responses produce separate thematic scores, and the displayed result bands indicate how strongly each theme is reflected in the responses. The result therefore helps distinguish whether responses cluster around connection, trust, control, self-worth, or several themes together. This core wound test describes tendencies, not hidden causes.
Its framework is conceptually consistent with the Schema Questionnaire (Schmidt et al., 1995), which examines maladaptive schema dimensions, and with schema therapy as presented by Young, Klosko, and Weishaar. It is not that published instrument; its displayed bands are unvalidated reflective groupings. Oei and Baranoff’s review highlights the importance of measurement issues when interpreting schema questionnaires.
Read the bands as prompts for noticing which situations feel charged and what responses follow. Self-report can shift with current context, memory, self-awareness, or the wish to appear consistent. It is not a diagnostic measure; use the result as one perspective within broader reflection.
- Schmidt, N. B., Joiner, T. E., Young, J. E., & Telch, M. J. (1995). The Schema Questionnaire: Investigation of Psychometric Properties and the Hierarchical Structure of a Measure of Maladaptive Schemas. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 19(3), 295-321. 10.1007/BF02230402
- Young, J. E., Klosko, J. S., & Weishaar, M. E. (2003). Schema Therapy: A Practitioner's Guide. Guilford Press.
- Oei, T. P. S., & Baranoff, J. (2007). Young Schema Questionnaire: Review of Psychometric and Measurement Issues. Australian Journal of Psychology, 59(2), 78-86. 10.1080/00049530601148397
Updated: