General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE)
The General Self-Efficacy Scale is an established ten-item measure of optimistic self-beliefs about coping with difficult demands. Responses are summed to a score from 10 to 40. The authors do not endorse a high-versus-low cutoff.
- Scientific name
- General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE)
- Primary reference
- Schwarzer R, Jerusalem M. Generalized Self-Efficacy scale. In: Weinman J, Wright S, Johnston M, eds. Measures in Health Psychology: A User’s Portfolio. 1995:35–37. Open publication
- Time
- 4 min
- Length
- 10 questions
- Cost
- Free basic result
- Age
- Adults 18+
What this covers
- General self-efficacy
- Self-reported confidence in coping with a range of difficult or unexpected demands.
Who it is for
Adults who want to reflect on their general confidence in handling problems, setbacks and unexpected situations.
What your result can show
The ten responses are summed to a score from 10 to 40. A higher score reflects stronger self-reported coping confidence, but there is no diagnostic or universal high-versus-low threshold.
Important limitations
The GSE measures a broad self-belief rather than ability in a specific situation. Scores can vary with context and should not be treated as a measure of personal worth or competence.
A higher score does not establish a diagnosis. A lower score does not show that a condition is absent.
Evidence and permission
General Self-Efficacy Scale by Ralf Schwarzer and Matthias Jerusalem; used with attribution under the documented permission terms.
Your answers and result stay on this device. After completion, you can separately choose to upload derived scores for a private link that expires after 180 days.