Existential Concerns Test (ECQ)

The Existential Concerns Questionnaire (ECQ) was developed in 2017 by Vincent van Bruggen and a team of researchers at the University of Twente, alongside affiliated psychological institutes. Existential thoughts—questions about life's purpose, freedom, isolation, and mortality—are a natural aspect of the human condition. While philosophers have long debated these topics, modern psychological science recognized the need for a standardized, empirical tool to evaluate how these thoughts impact individual mental well-being. The authors created the ECQ to provide a psychometrically sound measure capable of assessing different dimensions of existential distress without framing normal human contemplation purely as a clinical pathology.

In daily life, existential anxiety often manifests as a persistent, unsettling feeling regarding whether life has intrinsic meaning or whether one truly belongs in the world. People experiencing high levels of general existential anxiety may feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices available to them or burdened by the weight of personal responsibility. Alongside this, death anxiety focuses on the temporal nature of existence. This facet involves fear surrounding one's own mortality, apprehension about the passage of time, or a pervasive feeling that existence itself is precarious and threatening. While some awareness of death can motivate personal growth, high death anxiety can lead to chronic worry and dread.

The third facet, existential avoidance, represents a psychological coping mechanism used to manage uncomfortable thoughts about existence. Rather than confronting questions about purpose or mortality directly, individuals high in avoidance actively try to push away these realizations. They may distract themselves with routine tasks, avoid thinking about the consequences of their life choices, or quickly shift their focus whenever thoughts of meaninglessness or death arise. Although avoidance offers temporary psychological comfort, research suggests that suppressing existential concerns often prevents individuals from developing genuine resilience or finding authentic meaning in their personal lives.

Psychological research using the ECQ demonstrates that existential concerns are deeply intertwined with general psychological well-being, mood dynamics, and overall life satisfaction. Studies show that high levels of unaddressed existential anxiety can contribute to persistent worry, burnout, and feelings of alienation. Interestingly, researchers have found that high existential avoidance often correlates with increased underlying distress over time, as unexamined fears remain unresolved. Conversely, individuals who gently engage with existential questions—rather than avoiding them or becoming paralyzed by them—frequently report greater personal clarity, stronger personal values, and deeper relational connections.

When reviewing your results, you will see your scores plotted alongside population comparison markers on the chart. Please note that these population comparison markers are estimates derived from published research samples, not validated percentiles. Individual scores can naturally fluctuate across different life stages, major transitions, or periods of personal reflection, making these markers a general guide rather than a fixed measure of your character.

This test is designed for educational and self-evaluative purposes only and should not be used as a clinical diagnosis or psychological assessment. Although this tool is based on the Existential Concerns Questionnaire (ECQ), it is important to clarify that this test is not affiliated with its original authors or their academic institutions. Understanding your personal pattern of existential anxiety, death anxiety, and existential avoidance can serve as a valuable starting point for self-reflection, personal growth, or meaningful conversations with a qualified professional.

References

• van Bruggen, V., ten Klooster, P., Westerhof, G., Vos, J., de Kleine, E., Bohlmeijer, E., & Glas, G. (2017). The Existential Concerns Questionnaire (ECQ)-Development and Initial Validation of a New Existential Anxiety Scale in a Nonclinical and Clinical Sample. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 73(12), 1692-1703.