Emotion Reactivity Scale – ERS
Measures individual differences in the sensitivity, intensity, and persistence of emotional reactions.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Emotion Reactivity Scale – ERS was developed by Matthew K. Nock, Michelle M. Wedig, Elizabeth B. Holmberg, Jill M. Hooley (2008). It is designed to measure Emotion Reactivity. The scale is intended for use with Adults and adolescents.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 21 items organized into 3 factors/subscales: Sensitivity, Arousal/Intensity, Persistence.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | 2,5,7,9,12,13,14,15,16,18 | 10 |
| Arousal/Intensity | 3,4,6,17,19,20,21 | 7 |
| Persistence | 1,8,10,11 | 4 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Not at all like me, 1 = A little like me, 2 = Somewhat like me, 3 = A lot like me, 4 = Completely like me.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 84. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Emotion Reactivity: 0 – 20
- Moderate Emotion Reactivity: 21 – 50
- High Emotion Reactivity: 51 – 84
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Sensitivity subscale: α=.88, Arousal/Intensity subscale: α=.86, Persistence subscale: α=.81.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.