Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

A printable PDF version of The Oxford Positive Self Scale (OxPos) is available for download and use. 

Freeman et al. (2023). The Oxford Positive Self Scale: psychometric development of an assessment of cognitions associated with psychological well-being. Psychological Medicine, 1-9.


Scoring

Create a total score by summing all the items. Higher scores indicate greater endorsement of positive beliefs.

There are four factors, each of which can also be scored separately:

Mastery (Items 1-7)

Strength (Items 8-15)

Enjoyment (Items 16-20)

Character (Items 21-24)

 

This questionnaire lists beliefs that people can hold about themselves. Please indicate how strongly you hold each of the following beliefs by circling a number 0 (Do not believe it) – 4 (Believe it totally).

Try to judge the beliefs on how you have viewed yourself over the past week.

1: I can make a difference

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

2: I am useful

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

3: I have a purpose

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

4: I can achieve things

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

5: I can do things well

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

6: I can succeed

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

7: I am worthwhile

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

8: I am strong

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

9: I can keep going

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

10: i can succeed in challenging situations

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

11: I can cope with anything

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

12: I rise to the challenge

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

13: I don’t give up

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

14: I will be okay

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

15: I can do things as well as anyone else

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

16: I can enjoy things

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

17: I can relax

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

18: I can switch off

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

19: I can have fun

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

20: I can do fun things

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

21: I am reliable

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

22: I am thoughtful

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

23: I am a good person

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally

24: I am helpful

0   Do not believe it

1   Believe it slightly

2   Believe it moderately

3   Believe it very much

4   Believe it totally