10-item measure of general confidence in ability to cope with difficult demands in life. ≈ 2 min to complete. Free with attribution.
GSE (General Self-Efficacy Scale) is a validated clinical instrument used to assess 10-item measure of general confidence in ability to cope with difficult demands in life.. It is most often used for 10-item measure of general confidence in ability to cope with difficult demands in life.. The instrument contains 10 items. Typical administration time is ≈ 2 min.
Source / attribution: Free to use with citation
10-item measure of general confidence in ability to cope with difficult demands in life. GSE is part of standard practice in this setting because it provides a structured, replicable assessment that can be tracked over time and compared across patients or visits.
Like all screening or assessment instruments, GSE is a structured aid — not a diagnostic test in isolation. Results should be interpreted alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Where a score crosses an actionable threshold, the next step is typically a more detailed clinical evaluation rather than a definitive diagnosis.
Answer all 10 items below to see your GSE score and interpretation.
Each item is scored on a 4-point scale (1–4). Your score updates live as you answer.
All scoring runs in your browser. No data is sent anywhere — close the tab and the answers are gone.
Sum all 10 items scored 1-4. Total range 10-40. Higher scores = greater self-efficacy.
Scoring notes: Sum all 10 items scored 1-4. Total range 10-40. Higher scores = greater self-efficacy.
The cutoffs below are drawn from the published validation literature. Always interpret in clinical context.
| Score range | Band | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 10–20 | Low self-efficacy | Consider intervention |
| 21–30 | Moderate self-efficacy | Monitor |
| 31–40 | High self-efficacy | Maintain |
This is an illustrative walkthrough, not a real patient. Follow the same four steps with your own answers — or use the live calculator at the top of this page.
Read each question and choose the response that best fits. Each response has a number next to it — that number is the item's score. The example below uses illustrative answers.
| # | Item | Example response | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I can always manage to solve difficult problems if I try hard enough | Moderately true | 3 |
| 2 | If someone opposes me, I can find the means and ways to get what I want | Moderately true | 3 |
| 3 | It is easy for me to stick to my aims and accomplish my goals | Hardly true | 2 |
| 4 | I am confident that I could deal efficiently with unexpected events | Moderately true | 3 |
| 5 | Thanks to my resourcefulness, I know how to handle unforeseen situations | Hardly true | 2 |
| 6 | I can solve most problems if I invest the necessary effort | Moderately true | 3 |
| 7 | I can remain calm when facing difficulties because I can rely on my coping abilities | Hardly true | 2 |
| 8 | When I am confronted with a problem, I can usually find several solutions | Moderately true | 3 |
| 9 | If I am in trouble, I can usually think of a solution | Hardly true | 2 |
| 10 | I can usually handle whatever comes my way | Moderately true | 3 |
Add up all the item scores you noted in Step 1.
3 + 3 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 3 = 26
Find the row in the interpretation table whose range contains your total:
Total = 26 falls between 21 and 30 → Moderate self-efficacy
Moderate self-efficacy. Monitor
A score is one input alongside history and examination. GSE supports clinical judgment — it does not replace it.
Psychometric figures are drawn from the validation literature and may vary across clinical populations and translations.
If GSE doesn't fit your context, related instruments in self-efficacy include:
| Scale | Measures | Items | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| WSAS | 5-item simple measure of impaired functioning at work, home, and socially. | 5 | ≈ 1 min |
| MBI-GS | 16-item measure of burnout in occupational settings with three subscales. | 16 | ≈ 5 min |
| OLBI | 16-item alternative burnout measure with exhaustion and disengagement subscales. | 16 | ≈ 5 min |
| PHQ-9 | Severity of depression | 9 | ≈ 3 minutes |
| GAD-7 | Severity of generalized anxiety | 7 | ≈ 2 minutes |
| AUDIT | 10-item WHO screening tool for hazardous alcohol consumption and dependence. | 10 | ≈ 3 min |
| CHA2DS2-VASc | Annual stroke risk in non-valvular atrial fibrillation | 8 | — |
| Glasgow Coma Scale | Level of consciousness after head injury | 3 | — |
GSE (General Self-Efficacy Scale) is a validated instrument that assesses 10-item measure of general confidence in ability to cope with difficult demands in life.. Its primary clinical use is 10-item measure of general confidence in ability to cope with difficult demands in life..
GSE typically takes ≈ 2 min to administer. Time can vary slightly depending on whether it is self-administered or clinician-led.
GSE contains 10 items. Items are summed to produce a total score.
Scores of 31–40 fall in the "High self-efficacy" band. Maintain
Scores of 10–20 fall in the "Low self-efficacy" band. Consider intervention
GSE has reported Cronbach's α of 0.9 in validation samples and test–retest reliability of 0.82. Validated in 30+ languages; predicts health behaviors and adaptation.
GSE is free to use with attribution. Free to use with citation
Schwarzer, R., & Jerusalem, M. (1995). Generalized Self-Efficacy scale. In J. Weinman, S. Wright, & M. Johnston (Eds.), Measures in health psychology: A user's portfolio (pp. 35-37). NFER-NELSON.
No. GSE is a structured assessment aid. A score is one input alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Treatment decisions should never rest on a screening score alone.
GSE is supported by the following peer-reviewed sources: