AQ

 A

Adversity Quotient (AQ) is a psychological concept that measures how well a person can deal with challenges, setbacks, and adversity in life.

It was introduced by Dr. Paul Stoltz in his 1997 book “Adversity Quotient: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities.”

Here’s a breakdown:

🧠 Definition

Adversity Quotient (AQ) = Your ability to face and overcome adversity.

It reflects how you respond to difficulties — whether you give up easily, endure, or grow stronger through challenges.

⚙️ The 4 CORE Dimensions (from Stoltz’s model)

The acronym CORE explains the key components of AQ:

1. C – Control:
   How much control do you feel you have over a difficult situation?
   → High control = proactive response; low control = helplessness.
2. O – Ownership:
   Do you take responsibility for outcomes, or do you blame external factors?
   → High ownership = learning and adapting; low ownership = avoidance.
3. R – Reach:
   How far do you let adversity spread into other areas of your life?
   → High reach = contained impact; low reach = “everything feels ruined.”
4. E – Endurance:
   How long do you believe the adversity will last?
   → High endurance = “this too shall pass”; low endurance = despair.

💪 Why It Matters

People with a high AQ tend to:

• Stay motivated during hard times.
• Adapt and recover faster.
• Turn failures into learning opportunities.
• Lead and inspire others through uncertainty.

Meanwhile, a low AQ often leads to stress, burnout, and stagnation.

Would you like me to show you how to test or improve your AQ (e.g., with self-assessment questions or practical exercises)?