Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-SF3) — Sense of Worthiness Test | Am I Enough?

What is the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ)?

The Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ) is a psychological assessment tool developed by Dr. Jeffrey E. Young and colleagues at Columbia University. It measures 18 Early Maladaptive Schemas — deeply held core beliefs about yourself and your relationships that form during childhood and adolescence.

These schemas are broad, pervasive themes that develop when core emotional needs are not adequately met during development. They act as templates or filters through which we interpret our experiences throughout adulthood.

This version uses 90 items adapted from the YSQ Short Form 3 (YSQ-SF3), with 5 representative items for each of the 18 schemas covering all five domains.

Why 'Sense of Worthiness'?

In Chinese and East Asian cultural contexts, the concept of 配得感 captures a deeply relatable inner question: 'Do I deserve happiness? Am I worthy of love? Why do I always feel like I'm not enough?' This resonates strongly with several YSQ schemas, especially Defectiveness/Shame, Failure, Social Isolation, and Emotional Deprivation.

This test helps identify which schemas may be driving feelings of unworthiness. By understanding these patterns, you can begin building a healthier relationship with yourself.

The Five Schema Domains

The 18 Early Maladaptive Schemas are organized into five broad domains:

How Can I Change My Schemas?

Clinical Note

This online adaptation of the YSQ is designed for educational and self-discovery purposes. It provides a snapshot of current schema activation patterns and should NOT be used for clinical diagnosis.

If scores indicate significant schema activation, or if patterns cause substantial distress, we recommend consulting a qualified mental health professional. Schema Therapy is an evidence-based integrative therapy effective for personality disorders, chronic depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties.

References

• Young, J. E., Klosko, J. S., & Weishaar, M. E. (2003). Schema Therapy: A Practitioner's Guide. Guilford Press. guilford.com
• Young, J. E., Arntz, A., Atkinson, T., Lobbestael, J., Weishaar, M. E., & van Vreeswijk, M. (2007). Schema Mode Inventory. Schema Therapy Institute.
• Rafaeli, E., Bernstein, D. P., & Young, J. E. (2011). YSQ-S3: Young Schema Questionnaire - Short Form 3rd Edition. Schema Therapy Institute.
• Arntz, A., & Jacob, G. (2013). Schema therapy in practice: An introductory guide to the schema mode approach. John Wiley & Sons.
• International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST). Schema Therapy Resources. schematherapysociety.org