Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale
Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale used in psychology are essential tools for clinical and research assessments. This post is based on dissertations submitted by students during their academic programs. At ‘Mental Health,’ we arrange and provide these resources to you. Here is the complete list of resources (Click Here). To access these materials, click on the ‘Avail File’ section below.”

About Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale
The Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (BFNE) is a concise psychological assessment tool designed to measure an individual’s fear of being negatively evaluated by others. This scale is particularly valuable for assessing social anxiety and related disorders, as fear of negative evaluation is a core component of social anxiety. The BFNE offers a quick and effective means of gauging how much fear of negative judgment influences an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in social situations.
Purpose of the Tool
The primary purpose of the BFNE is to assess the extent to which individuals fear negative evaluation from others. This fear is a key characteristic of social anxiety and can significantly impact a person’s social interactions, self-esteem, and overall mental health. By identifying the level of fear of negative evaluation, mental health professionals can tailor therapeutic interventions to address these concerns, thereby reducing social anxiety symptoms and improving the individual’s quality of life. The BFNE is widely used in both clinical settings for diagnosis and treatment planning and in research to explore the dynamics of social anxiety.
Description of the Tool
The Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale is an abbreviated version of the original Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale developed by Watson and Friend in 1969. The BFNE contains 12 items, each rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from “Not at all characteristic of me” to “Extremely characteristic of me.” The items are designed to capture the respondent’s concerns about being judged or evaluated negatively by others.
The BFNE includes statements such as “I worry about what people will think of me even when I know it doesn’t make any difference” and “I am frequently afraid of other people noticing my shortcomings.” The total score is calculated by summing the responses, with higher scores indicating greater fear of negative evaluation.
The BFNE is highly regarded for its reliability and validity. It has been extensively used in clinical and research contexts and has demonstrated strong psychometric properties, including high internal consistency and good test-retest reliability. The scale is sensitive to changes over time, making it useful for monitoring progress in treatment.
Age Group
The BFNE is suitable for use with adolescents and adults. It is commonly employed in various settings, including clinical practice, research, and educational environments, to assess social anxiety and related fears in different age groups.
Administration Steps
- Explain the Purpose: Begin by explaining that the BFNE is intended to measure the fear of being negatively evaluated by others, a common concern in social anxiety.
- Provide the Scale: Distribute the BFNE, instructing the respondent on how to rate each item on the 5-point Likert scale. Clarify that they should reflect on how characteristic each statement is of their usual thoughts and feelings in social situations.
- Ensure Confidentiality: Assure the respondent that their responses will be kept confidential and used solely to understand their level of fear of negative evaluation.
- Allow Completion: Allow the respondent sufficient time to complete the scale, typically around 5 to 10 minutes. Offer to clarify any items that may be confusing.
Avail the Tool
To access the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale or to learn more about its application in clinical and forensic settings, please visit our Contact Us page. Our team at ‘Mental Health’ is here to support you in utilizing this comprehensive assessment tool for your practice or research needs.
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