Independent Functioning Assessment: Are You Independent Enough?

I. What Is 'Independent Functioning'?

Independence does not simply mean 'living alone' or 'not relying on your parents.' True independence is a comprehensive psychological and social function - it means that, without depending on others for decisions, emotional support, or a financial safety net, you can autonomously plan your life, take on responsibilities, and regulate your own state.

The psychologist Erik Erikson emphasized in his theory of personality development that the important task of youth is to establish 'self-identity' and 'independence and autonomy'; while Deci & Ryan's Self-Determination Theory (SDT) points out that autonomy, competence, and relatedness are the core pillars of human mental health.

II. What Does Mature Independent Functioning Look Like?

Independence is not coldness, nor is it refusing help. Relatively mature independent functioning usually shows itself as:

• Being able to support yourself financially, with rational judgment about spending and risk
• Not depending excessively on others' evaluations emotionally, and having self-regulation ability
• Being able to weigh pros and cons when making decisions, rather than passively waiting for instructions
• Being able to connect intimately in relationships while maintaining boundaries and your own integrity

III. The Three Assessment Dimensions of This Test

Based on self-determination theory and adult development theory, this test unfolds across the following three core dimensions, with 18 questions in total:

• financial autonomy: Do you have a stable source of income, a rational outlook on spending, and the ability to anticipate financial risk?
• emotional independence: Are your emotions easily swayed by others? Under pressure or loneliness, can you self-regulate rather than seeking support from outside?
• decision-making autonomy: When facing choices, do you rely on others' opinions, or can you judge based on your own values?

IV. Purpose of the Test and Target Audience

This test is suitable for people who want to assess their level of independence and improve their autonomy, especially:

• Young people who have just entered society and are building an independent life system
• People who feel they have 'lost themselves' in an intimate relationship or family
• People who want to reduce their dependence on others' emotions or decisions
• People interested in self-growth and personality independence

V. Scoring and Result Explanation

Each question is scored from 1 to 5, from 'highly dependent' to 'highly autonomous.' The system will calculate your scores across the three dimensions separately and, combining them with the total score, give your current independent functioning type and targeted growth advice.