Existence Scale (ESK) — Diagnostic Use — Existential Analysis (Längle)

A 46-item psychodiagnostic questionnaire developed by Längle together with Orgler and Kundi (2003). It measures four existential competencies: self-distancing (SD, 8 items), self-transcendence (ST, 14 items), freedom (F, 11 items), responsibility (V, 13 items). Used both in research and in practice — to assess existential functioning and to track dynamics in the course of therapy.

Step-by-step guide

Administer the questionnaire at the start of therapy as an orienting profile of the client
Together with the client, discuss the results: "What in these results resonates for you?"
Use the profile as a map of areas for therapeutic work
Repeat in a few months as an indicator of dynamics and discuss the changes

When to use

At the start of therapy — as an orienting diagnostic instrument
When evaluating outcomes or when the therapy feels "stuck"
When working with meaning and existential vacuum
In research or in supervision

Key phrases

I would like to offer you a short questionnaire — it helps to understand how you are now living your life across several important dimensions. Let us look together afterward at what resonates.

Follow-up questions

What of the results seems accurate to you? And what surprises you?

Where do you feel the greatest deficit right now?

How does this match what you came to therapy with?

Alternative phrasings

Looking at these four dimensions — in which one do you sense the greatest resource? And in which one — the greatest lack?

Warnings

⚠️ The ESK is not a diagnosis of pathology, but a measure of existential functioning; do not use in isolation from the clinical context
⚠️ Discuss the results with the client, do not present them as a "diagnosis"
⚠️ The ESK does not replace clinical diagnostics in case of suspected mental disorder

Source: Längle A. Orgler C. Kundi M. 2003