Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) Overview

The DERS is a self-report tool that measures how well individuals handle their emotions. It helps clinicians identify specific struggles to plan effective mental health treatments.

Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) PDF assessment form for emotion dysregulation
DERS

Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) helps clinicians measure how well patients manage their feelings. This self-report survey assesses issues like impulse control and emotional clarity. It's widely used in therapy to identify dysregulation patterns and track improvements over time.

Category

Mental health
Diagnostic
Monitoring

Disease

Mental Health
Assessment
Clinical Measurement

Source

(Gratz & Roemer, 2004)

Author Name

Gratz, K.L. & Roemer, L. (2004)

What is Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) is a trusted tool for assessing how well individuals manage their complex emotional responses. Unlike basic mood trackers, this comprehensive 36-item self-report measure looks at the bigger picture of emotional control and distinct dysregulation patterns. It breaks things down into six clear subscales, covering areas like impulse control, emotional clarity, and acceptance. Respondents rate how often statements apply to them on a five-point scale ranging from almost never to almost always, offering rich clinical insight. Clinicians find it handy for spotting deficits in patients dealing with anxiety or borderline personality disorder. It is easy to score and helps guide treatment planning effectively. By pinpointing where a client struggles, therapists can build better coping skills for future success.

DERS Scoring

The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale can be scored using two main approaches: total sum and subscales. First, reverse score items 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 17, 20, 22, 24, and 34 so higher numbers mean more trouble regulating feelings. Then, add up all 36 responses to get a total score ranging from 36 to 180. You can also calculate six subscale scores like Impulse Control Difficulties and Lack of Emotional Awareness by summing specific items. Higher tallies suggest greater problems managing emotions, helping clinicians spot where a client struggles most in daily life.

View scoring form

Advantages

Treatment planning

Develops personalised strategies based on assessment data.

Condition versatility

Applicable across multiple diseases and conditions.

Outcome tracking

Measures healthcare intervention results systematically.

Research validity

Strengthens evidence through systematic measurement approaches.

10
Minutes
36
Questions

Streamline Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale data collection with WeGuide

Digitise DERS assessments for instant scoring. Track emotion regulation trends over time to improve patient outcomes.

Support Your patient in no time - all under your own brand

Our platform combines the knowledge of 100+ digital health solutions built, letting you easily build your patient engagement app for research or clinical use. Collect PROMs, support patients on waiting lists, or gather vital signs data. This is how:

Learn More

Program Builder

Import your clinical or research protocol, upload your forms and and off you go.
Learn More
We Guide

Whitelabelling

Get your own app in the store and created a trusted environment for your patients or participants.
Learn More

Turn on components, dependent on your usecase

Setup Program Information, Collect Wearable data.
Learn More

Support The Full Journey

Use WeGuide to support your patients or participants in the full journey, starting from screening & consent to collecting recurring data for months to come..
Learn More

It’s your turn

Every WeGuide project, saves researchers and clinicians - 9 months and $450,000 - creating impactful digital health solutions.

By clicking organise a demo, you’re confirming that we can contact you to set up a demonstration.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again.
No items found.