RESILIENCE and joy Questionnaires
the resilience questionnaire:
It is important to note that the resilience questions are only meant to prompt reflection and conversation on experiences that may help protect most people from developing negative outcomes. A secure early childhood is helpful, but not necessary. A higher number of positive experiences is not necessarily more protective. For more information, I suggest reading this article-- Putting resilience and resilience surveys under the microscope.
Most importantly, whatever your past circumstances or current challenges, we can work together to give you tools to build resiliency.
Please circle the most accurate answer under each statement:
1. I believe that my mother loved me when I was little
Definitely true /Probably true/ Not sure/ Probably Not True/ Definitely Not True
2. I believe that my father loved me when I was little.
Definitely true/ Probably true/ Not sure /Probably Not True/ Definitely Not True
3. When I was little, other people helped my mother and father take care of me and they seemed to love me.
Definitely true/ Probably true/ Not sure /Probably Not True/ Definitely Not True
4. I’ve heard that when I was an infant someone in my family enjoyed playing with me, and I enjoyed it, too.
Definitely true/ Probably true/ Not sure /Probably Not True/ Definitely Not True
5. When I was a child, there were relatives in my family who made me feel better if I was sad or worried.
Definitely true/ Probably true/ Not sure /Probably Not True/ Definitely Not True
6. When I was a child, neighbors or my friends’ parents seemed to like me.
Definitely true /Probably true/ Not sure/ Probably Not True/ Definitely Not True
7. When I was a child, teachers, coaches, youth leaders or ministers were there to help me.
Definitely true /Probably true/ Not sure/ Probably Not True/ Definitely Not True
8. Someone in my family cared about how I was doing in school.
Definitely true /Probably true/ Not sure/ Probably Not True/ Definitely Not True
9. My family, neighbors and friends talked often about making our lives better.
Definitely true /Probably true/ Not sure/ Probably Not True/ Definitely Not True
10. We had rules in our house and were expected to keep them.
Definitely true /Probably true/ Not sure/ Probably Not True/ Definitely Not True
11. When I felt really bad, I could almost always find someone I trusted to talk to.
Definitely true /Probably true/ Not sure/ Probably Not True/ Definitely Not True
12. As a youth, people noticed that I was capable and could get things done.
Definitely true /Probably true/ Not sure/ Probably Not True/ Definitely Not True
13. I was independent and a go-getter.
Definitely true /Probably true/ Not sure/ Probably Not True/ Definitely Not True
14. I believed that life is what you make it.
Definitely true /Probably true/ Not sure/ Probably Not True/ Definitely Not True
How many of these 14 protective factors did I have as a child and youth? (How many of the 14 were circled “Definitely True” or “Probably True”?) _______
Of these circled, how many are still true for me? _______
Joy and Contentment Quotient:
The following quiz will help you gain insight into the way in which you relate to and react to the world around you, and how it reflects on your general state of contentment and capacity for joy. It is meant to provide a way to gauge your progress toward well-being. Together we can find the appropriate tools to help you to move toward greater joy and contentment. For further information I suggest reading The Last Best Cure by Donna Jackson Nakazawa.
Choose 1-10, according to the degree to which each statement applies to you or accurately describes your recent (past 3 months) perceptions.
1= does not apply to me much at all/hardly describes my perception at all
10= nearly completely describes my perception/applies to me
1. I feel deserving of a calm mind and a joyful life.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2. I am more self-critical and judgmental than I wish I were.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
3. I recognize and value the unique contributions I bring to the world.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
4. In general, my negative feelings and thoughts impact my ability to fully engage with my life, including but not limited to people and situations or event
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
5. I am more critical and judgmental of others than I wish I were.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
6. Daily, I am touched or moved emotionally by things in my environment to a degree that reminds me of the goodness around me.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
7. Generally speaking, my feelings or emotional states overwhelm me.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
8. At least once a week, I allow myself to be spontaneous and playful without feeling guilty, despite my daily obligations and responsibilities.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
9. My feelings provide me with information, but they do not control me nor my decisions.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
10. In going about my daily routine I have difficulty being productive or completing necessary tasks without detaching from or shutting off my emotions.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11. I know specific things I want or need to change in my life, but I have a hard time putting forth sufficient effort to effectively implement them.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
12. I am open to new and different interpretations of my experiences.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SCORING:
For questions 1, 3, 6, 8, 9,12: add up the exact numerical value of each answer you chose. For Instance, if you chose a 4 for question 1, and a 7 for question 3, add 4 and 7 together and continue adding the numerical value of each answer for these questions.
YOUR SCORE______
For questions 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, and 11: add up your scores in the reverse direction. In other words, a 1 gets 10 points, whereas a 10 gets 1 point. A 2 would be an 8. A 4 would be a 7 and so on.
YOUR SCORE______
Now add up your two scores here: TOTAL SCORE_______
What does it all mean:
Less than 38 total points: Significantly less contentment and considerably fewer moments of joy than most report experiencing. Could benefit from concerted effort toward increasing both greater life satisfaction and feelings of well-being.
39-59 Points: Occasional but not frequent sense of general contentment, and few moments of joy that you are likely not inclined to expect. Average or “middle-of-the-road” sense of life satisfaction and well-being. You may desire more experiences of joy and an increased sense of happiness, but may recognize a tendency toward pessimism and a general belief that you don’t deserve or shouldn’t expect more positive experiences than you have.
60-78 Points: General sense of contentment and occasional moments of joy that you look forward to and work toward. Above average sense of life satisfaction and overall positive view of self and the world around you. You believe you deserve a satisfying life, generally are not overly pessimistic, and at times have a relatively optimistic but not idealistic worldview.
Above 79 Points: Considerably higher sense of contentment and fairly frequent experiences of joy. Greater general life satisfaction and well-being than most. You tend toward optimism and at times even idealism, which you are likely to find refreshing and fun.
Excerpted from the Last Best Cure by Donna Jackson Nakazawa
© Marla Sanzone, PhD, 2013