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This self-assessment Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) , was originally developed by Meyer, Miller, Metzger, and Borkovec (1990) . TraitProfiler provides an interactive digital version for educational, informational, and self-exploration purposes only.

Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ)

Background

The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) is one of the most widely used self-report measures of pathological worry. It was developed to assess the tendency to engage in excessive, generalized, and uncontrollable worry, which is considered a central feature of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Procedure

Participants rate how typical each statement is of them using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from “Not at all typical of me” to “Very typical of me.” The questionnaire measures the intensity, excessiveness, and uncontrollability of worry.

Participation

This assessment is intended for educational, research, and self-reflection purposes only. Responses are anonymous and should not be considered a substitute for professional psychological evaluation or diagnosis.

Scoring & Interpretation

Higher scores indicate greater levels of chronic and uncontrollable worry. Several items are reverse scored before calculating the total score.

Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) Questionnaire

Instructions & Terms

Below is the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), a digitally adapted 16- items self-assessment questionnaire. This assessment does not provide a clinical diagnosis, medical determination, or substitute for professional psychological evaluation.

Question 1 of 16 Worry

If I do not have enough time to do everything, I do not worry about it.


Question 2 of 16 Worry

My worries overwhelm me.


Question 3 of 16 Worry

I do not tend to worry about things.


Question 4 of 16 Worry

Many situations make me worry.


Question 5 of 16 Worry

I know I should not worry about things, but I just cannot help it.


Question 6 of 16 Worry

When I am under pressure I worry a lot.


Question 7 of 16 Worry

I am always worrying about something.


Question 8 of 16 Worry

I find it easy to dismiss worrisome thoughts.


Question 9 of 16 Worry

As soon as I finish one task, I start to worry about everything else I have to do.


Question 10 of 16 Worry

I never worry about anything.


Question 11 of 16 Worry

When there is nothing more I can do about a concern, I do not worry about it any more.


Question 12 of 16 Worry

I have been a worrier all my life.


Question 13 of 16 Worry

I notice that I have been worrying about things.


Question 14 of 16 Worry

Once I start worrying, I cannot stop.


Question 15 of 16 Worry

I worry all the time.


Question 16 of 16 Worry

I worry about projects until they are all done.




Psychometric Norms

2
Participants
66%
Community Mean
4.5%
Sample SD
70%
Highest Observed Score
61%
Lowest Observed Score
2026–2026
Collection Period

Current normative data for theCurrent normative data for the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) are derived from 2 anonymous participant responses collected through TraitProfiler between 2026 and 2026. All response data are collected anonymously and are intended exclusively for educational, psychometric, and non-commercial research purposes.

Sources
  1. Meyer, T. J., Miller, M. L., Metzger, R. L., & Borkovec, T. D. (1990). Development and validation of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 28(6), 487–495.