Introduction
The Unconditional Self-Acceptance Questionnaire (USAQ) is a 20-item self-report measure of how far people accept themselves regardless of their achievements, failures or approval from others. John M. Chamberlain and David A. F. Haaga published it in 2001 in the Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy. It has received more than 660 citations.
Based on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), the USAQ is widely used in research on self-esteem, psychological well-being and mental health. This guide explains its items, scoring, interpretation and related measures.
Key Features of the USAQ
Purpose and Use
The USAQ measures the degree of unconditional self-acceptance, meaning self-acceptance that does not depend on achievements, failures or approval from others. Researchers commonly use it in studies of self-esteem, psychological well-being and REBT.
Target Population
The USAQ is intended for adults aged 18 and older.
Structure
The USAQ contains 20 items. They assess acceptance of oneself regardless of success, failure, mistakes, social approval, competence or personal characteristics. In addition, items examine beliefs about self-worth and self-evaluation.
Scoring Method
Respondents rate how characteristic each statement is of them on a 7-point scale from 1 (almost always untrue) to 7 (almost always true).
Positively worded items (9): higher scores represent greater unconditional self-acceptance, for example "I avoid comparing myself to others to decide if I am a worthwhile person."Reverse-scored items (11): lower ratings represent greater self-acceptance, for example "I set goals for myself that I hope will prove my worth."Interpretation: higher scores indicate greater unconditional self-acceptance.Interpreting scores: an online guide to the USAQ describes average scores on the 1–7 scale as low (1–3), average (4) or high (5–7). It also notes that most people average around 4.5. These bands come from that guide, not from the original validation study.
Administration Format
The USAQ is a self-report questionnaire, so respondents complete it themselves using the 7-point scale.
Applications of the USAQ
The USAQ supports several research areas:
Self-esteem research: distinguishing unconditional self-acceptance from performance-based self-worth.Well-being and mental health: studying links between self-acceptance and psychological health.REBT and CBT research: measuring a core REBT concept in therapy-related studies.Languages and availability
Researchers have also used the USAQ in French, for example in a study of unconditional self-acceptance and maternal self-esteem. No commercial publisher owns the instrument; the copyright belongs to the original authors and publication.
Reliability and Validity
Chamberlain and Haaga examined the USAQ in relation to psychological health in their 2001 study. Since then, it has been used widely in research on self-esteem and well-being.
Validation studies:
Unconditional self-acceptance and psychological health (2001): study linkA reference entry on the USAQ (Springer): linkLimitations and Considerations
Keep these points in mind:
Interpretation bands: the low, average and high bands come from an online guide, not from the original study.Reverse scoring: 11 of the 20 items must be reverse-scored before interpreting results.Self-report: scores reflect how respondents describe their own self-acceptance.Other Versions And Related Questionnaires
These questionnaires are similar or complementary:
Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES); see the ResRef RSES guideSelf-Compassion Scale (SCS); see the ResRef SCS guideSelf-Liking/Self-Competence Scale (SLCS-R)Core Self-Evaluations Scale (CSES)Self-Acceptance Scale and REBT-related belief measuresAdditional Resources
The USAQ reference entry (Springer): linkAn overview of the USAQ (Arab Psychology database): linkFor inquiries, contact David A. F. Haaga, Department of Psychology, Asbury Building, American University, Washington, DC 20016-8062, USA, at dhaaga@american.edu.Browse more psychology questionnaires in the ResRef database.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does the USAQ measure?The USAQ measures unconditional self-acceptance: accepting oneself regardless of success, failure, mistakes, competence or approval from others. It is based on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy.
How is the USAQ scored?Items are rated from 1 (almost always untrue) to 7 (almost always true). Nine items are scored directly and 11 are reverse-scored, and higher scores mean greater unconditional self-acceptance.
What is a high USAQ score?An online guide describes average scores of 5–7 as high, 4 as average and 1–3 as low. These bands are not from the original study, so interpret them with caution.
Who developed the USAQ?John M. Chamberlain and David A. F. Haaga developed the USAQ and published it in 2001 in the Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy.
A Word from ResRef About the USAQ
The Unconditional Self-Acceptance Questionnaire (USAQ) is a 20-item self-report measure developed by John M. Chamberlain and David A. F. Haaga (2001) to assess unconditional self-acceptance regardless of performance or others' approval. Based on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), it is widely used in research on self-esteem, psychological well-being, and mental health. Higher scores indicate greater unconditional self-acceptance.
References
Chamberlain, J. M., & Haaga, D. A. F. (2001). Unconditional Self-Acceptance and Psychological Health. Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 19(3), 163–176. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1011189416600O’Reilly, A., Choby, D., Séjourné, N., & Callahan, S. (2014). Feelings of control, unconditional self-acceptance and maternal self-esteem in women who had delivered by caesarean. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 32(4), 355–365. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2014.930111