Description of the Questionnaire

Self-Handicapping Strategies Scale [SHS-6]

Description

The Self-Handicapping Strategies Scale (SHS-6) is a brief 6-item self-report measure designed to assess the extent to which individuals use self-handicapping strategies, particularly in academic or achievement-related settings.

Purpose

The main purpose of the SHS-6 is to evaluate behaviors through which individuals create or emphasize obstacles that may serve as explanations for possible poor performance. Such strategies may include reduced effort, procrastination, or other behaviors that protect self-esteem by shifting the perceived cause of failure away from ability.

Scoring

The six items are typically rated using a Likert-type scale. Higher scores indicate a greater tendency to use self-handicapping strategies.

Applications

The SHS-6 can be used in educational psychology, school psychology, motivation research, and studies of academic achievement, particularly when examining relationships between self-handicapping, self-esteem, achievement goals, motivation, and performance.

References

Midgley, C., Maehr, M. L., Hruda, L. Z., et al. (2000). Manual for the Patterns of Adaptive Learning Scales (PALS). University of Michigan.

Leondari, A., & Gonida, E. N. (2007). Predicting academic self-handicapping in different age groups: The role of personal achievement goals and social goals. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 77, 595–611.