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Escapism Scale
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About Escapism Scale
Scale Name
Escapism Scale
Author Details
Carolyn M. Aldwin and Traci A. Revenson
Translation Availability
Not Sure

Background/Description
The Escapism Scale was developed by Aldwin and Revenson in their 1987 study on coping and mental health, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Escapism refers to the tendency to mentally or behaviorally withdraw from stressful situations, often by engaging in distracting activities or fantasy. It is a coping mechanism that individuals use to avoid confronting negative emotions, responsibilities, or difficult circumstances.
The Escapism Scale is a self-report measure designed to evaluate how often individuals engage in escapist behaviors as a response to stress. The scale is part of a broader investigation into coping strategies and their relationship to mental health. While escapism can provide temporary relief from stress, long-term reliance on it may be linked to poorer mental health outcomes.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- The scale is primarily intended for adults who are seeking to evaluate their coping strategies in response to stressful situations.
- The Escapism Scale is a self-report questionnaire that includes a series of items designed to assess the frequency and intensity of escapist behaviors.
- Participants are asked to rate how often they engage in behaviors such as daydreaming, avoiding responsibilities, or seeking distractions when under stress.
- The scale takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.
- Responses are measured on a Likert scale, ranging from Never to Always.
- Higher scores indicate a greater tendency to engage in escapist behaviors.
- The results can be used to understand whether an individual’s coping mechanisms are helping them effectively manage stress or if they are relying too heavily on avoidance strategies.
- The scale can also be used in conjunction with other mental health assessments to evaluate overall coping styles.
Reliability and Validity
The Escapism Scale has shown high internal consistency in measuring coping strategies related to avoidance and disengagement. It correlates well with other coping scales, making it a useful tool for understanding how individuals manage stress.
- Reliability: The scale demonstrates strong reliability, with consistent results across different populations.
- Validity: The scale’s construct validity is supported by its ability to distinguish between adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies.
Available Versions
5-Items
Reference
Aldwin, C. M., & Revenson, T. A. (1987). Does coping help? A reexamination of the relation between coping and mental health. Journal of personality and social psychology, 53(2), 337.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the Escapism Scale measure?
A: The scale measures the frequency and intensity of escapist behaviors used to cope with stress.
Q: How long does it take to complete?
A: The scale takes around 10-15 minutes to complete.
Q: What kind of behaviors are assessed?
A: It assesses behaviors like daydreaming, avoiding responsibilities, and engaging in distractions as a way to cope with stress.
Q: Is escapism an effective coping strategy?
A: While escapism can provide temporary relief from stress, long-term reliance on it may lead to poorer mental health outcomes.
Q: Can the Escapism Scale be used with other assessments?
A: Yes, the scale can be used alongside other mental health assessments to gain a comprehensive understanding of coping styles.
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