Authenticity Questionnaire – Chinese Version

“`html

Description

In Confucianism, “sincerity” has always been emphasized. For instance, the “Doctrine of the Mean” states that “sincerity is the way of heaven; those who are sincere are following the way of humanity.” Zhu Xi interprets “sincerity” as “reality,” meaning “true and without deceit.” Wang Chuan-Shan also explains “sincerity” using the concept of “reality”. Authenticity has also been a significant topic in psychology, defined as a feeling of alignment with one’s true self (Kokkoris et al., 2019). Self-determination theory posits that individuals are authentic when their actions reflect their true or core self (Deci & Ryan, 2002), which resonates with Wang Yangming’s focus on “the unity of knowledge and action” as the essence of “sincerity of intention” in the “Great Learning” (Yang Lihua, 2019b).

Authors and Contact Email

Information not available

Purpose

This work aims to explore the relationship between authenticity and mental health, underlining the importance of being genuine in one’s life for psychological well-being.

Test Year

Information not available

Administration Method and Scoring

The Authenticity Questionnaire (AQ) scores responses on a scale of “Very Inaccurate,” “Inaccurate,” “Somewhat Accurate,” “Very Accurate,” corresponding to scores of 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.

Reliability and Validity

Many empirical studies have confirmed the positive impacts of authenticity on mental health. For example, authenticity can positively predict happiness (Thomaes et al., 2017; Sutton, 2020), sense of life meaning (Schlegel et al., 2009), and self-esteem (Kernis & Goldman, 2006), and it influences subjective well-being through mindfulness (Zheng et al., 2020).

Factors and Subscales

Authenticity encompasses clarity, sincerity, acceptance, and consistency.
– 清晰性 (Clarity): Refers to the individual’s understanding and awareness of themselves.
– 真诚性 (Sincerity): Refers to consistency in interactions with others.
– 接纳性 (Acceptance): Refers to the ability to objectively accept all aspects of oneself.
– 一致性 (Consistency): Refers to how an individual’s behaviors align with their thoughts, beliefs, and values.

These four components include the cognitive and behavioral processes leading to authenticity; however, not all four need to be present simultaneously for an individual to experience or exhibit authenticity.

Keywords

Authenticity, Mental Health, Self-Determination, Happiness, Self-Concept, Confucianism.

Items in Chinese

1. 我很清楚自己的动机和欲望。
2. 我清楚地知道自己想要什么不想要什么。
3. 当我做某件事情的时候我总是很清楚自己为什么这么做。
4. 我很清楚自己的优点和缺陷。
5. 我不了解自己内心的想法。
6. 我不知道自己的人生目标是什么。
7. 我清楚知道自己是谁。
8. 通常我都很清楚自己心里的感受。
9. 我能够接受自己的错误。
10. 我很乐于接受别人对我的批评。
11. 我愿意承担自己表达真实的想法所带来的负面后果。
12. 我能够批判性地评价自己。
13. 我能够正视自己的不足和缺陷。
14. 我常压抑自己内心的想法和感受。
15. 我常忽略自己内心深处的想法和感受。
16. 我的选择和行为经常违背自己的意愿。
17. 我经常不敢表达自己真实的想法。
18. 我经常在自己不喜欢的时候也表现出喜欢。
19. 我认为与我交往的人应该认识真实的我。
20. 与我交往的人应该了解我的全部。
21. 我认为在与人交往中真诚和开放很重要。
22. 我在朋友面前表现很真实。

Items in English

1. I am clear about my motives and desires.
2. I clearly know what I want and don’t want.
3. When I do something, I always understand why I am doing it.
4. I am aware of my strengths and weaknesses.
5. I do not understand my inner thoughts.
6. I do not know what my life goals are.
7. I know who I am.
8. Generally, I am clear about my feelings.
9. I can accept my mistakes.
10. I am willing to accept others’ criticisms of me.
11. I am prepared to face the negative consequences of expressing my true thoughts.
12. I can critically evaluate myself.
13. I can confront my shortcomings and flaws.
14. I often suppress my inner thoughts and feelings.
15. I often overlook my deep inner thoughts and feelings.
16. My choices and actions often go against my will.
17. I frequently hesitate to express my true thoughts.
18. I often pretend to like things even when I do not.
19. I believe that those who interact with me should know the real me.
20. Those who interact with me should understand my entirety.
21. I think sincerity and openness are important in interactions.
22. I show my true self in front of my friends.

References

Kokkoris et al., 2019; Deci & Ryan, 2002; Yang Lihua, 2019b; Thomaes et al., 2017; Sutton, 2020; Schlegel et al., 2009; Kernis & Goldman, 2006; Zheng et al., 2020; Liu Qunying et al., 2009; Sheldon et al., 1997; Park et al., 2004; Yang Lihua, 2015.
“`