RSD-RS
ActiveRejection Sensitivity Dysphoria Rating Scale
A 55-item instrument measuring rejection sensitivity across 6 vulnerability domains plus 12 protective factor subscales (24 items). The most publication-ready instrument in the PandaScales suite, with clear psychometric properties and established scoring.
Vulnerability Items
30
Protective Items
24 + 1
Domains
6 + 12 PF
Response Scale
0–4
Vulnerability Domains
Six domains capturing the full RSD experience, from trigger to functional impact. 5 items each, 30 items total.
Trigger Sensitivity
Sensitivity to criticism, perceived rejection, and disapproval from others.
5 items
Dysphoric Pain & Shame
Emotional pain, shame, worthlessness, and the intensity of the rejection experience.
5 items
Anticipatory Hypervigilance
Monitoring others for signs of rejection, worry about upcoming interactions, and anticipatory anxiety.
5 items
Acute Reactivity
Withdrawal, anger, tearfulness, cognitive flooding, and immediate behavioural responses to perceived rejection.
5 items
Recovery & Aftermath
Rumination, reassurance-seeking, perfectionism as prevention, avoidance, and emotional recovery time.
5 items
Functional Impact
Relationship impact, avoidance of opportunities, performance effects, help-seeking barriers, and daily life interference.
5 items
Protective Factor Profile
12 protective factors, each measured by 2 items (24 items total) plus 1 supplementary perfectionism item. These capture the individual's resilience resources.
Self-Compassion
Rejection Resistance
Cognitive Flexibility
Autonomy Preservation
Healthy Assertion
Recovery Capacity
Mentalizing Balance
Values Clarity
Support Seeking
Distress Tolerance
Imperfection Tolerance
Somatic Awareness
Instrument Variants
Multiple administration forms for different clinical contexts.
Free Screener
10 items
Brief screening version for initial identification.
Full Assessment
55 items
Complete assessment with 6 vulnerability domains and 12 protective factors.
Follow-Up
55 items
Repeat administration for tracking change over time.
Discharge
55 items
End-of-intervention assessment for measuring treatment outcomes.
Age Versions
Adult
Ages 18+
Primary self-report version with full clinical language.
Adolescent
Ages 12–17
Age-adapted wording for adolescent self-report.
Child
Ages 6–11
Simplified language for child self-report or parent/carer completion.
Sample Items
Representative items from vulnerability domains and protective factors.
“I notice even small changes in how people respond to me and immediately worry I have done something wrong.”
“When I feel rejected, the emotional pain feels physical — like a punch to the chest.”
“When I feel criticised, I either withdraw completely or respond with sudden anger.”
“I can remind myself that my worth does not depend on one person's opinion.”
“After a rejection experience, I can usually recover within a reasonable timeframe.”
Scoring & Interpretation
Response Scale
5-point scale: Not at all (0), Rarely (1), Sometimes (2), Often (3), Almost always (4)
Severity Bands
Minimal, Mild, Moderate, Severe, Extreme — derived from percentage scores.
Protective Factor Profile
12 protective factors scored independently, identifying resilience resources and development targets.
Clinical Flags
Automated flags for high vulnerability with low protective factors and domain-specific risk patterns.
Outputs
Domain Scores
Raw and percentage scores for all 6 vulnerability domains.
Severity Bands
Per-domain severity from Minimal to Extreme.
Protective Factor Profile
12 protective factors with individual scores and overall resilience index.
Full Assessment Report
Comprehensive PDF with all scores, interpretations, and clinical recommendations.
Use the RSD-RS
The most publication-ready instrument in the PandaScales suite. Contact us for licensing or research collaboration.