Anxiety
Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ)
A 16-item measure of how much you worry.
About this test
The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) measures how excessive, uncontrollable and general your worry tends to be — the core feature of generalized anxiety. Some items are positively worded and are reverse-scored automatically.
What your score means
| Score | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 16–39 | Low worry |
| 40–59 | Moderate worry |
| 60–80 | High worry |
Frequently asked questions
What does the PSWQ measure?
The tendency to worry excessively and uncontrollably — the main feature of generalized anxiety.
What score is high?
Scores range from 16 to 80; roughly 60 or more suggests a high, possibly excessive level of worry.
Related screenings
ASI-3Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3)GAD-2GAD-2 Anxiety ScreenerGAD-7Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7)
Source: Meyer et al. (1990). Free for research and education.