Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21)

The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale is a self-report instrument designed to measure three related negative emotional states: depression, anxiety, and tension/stress. The DASS-21 is an abbreviated version of the original 42-item questionnaire that contains 21 items covering three subscales: depression, anxiety, and stress (7 items each). Each of these subscales also captures a more general dimension of psychological distress or negative affectivity.

Length of completion

It takes approximately 10 minutes to complete the entire scale.

Individualized feedback for the respondent

After scoring the questionnaire, the subject will learn whether he or she is exhibiting any symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress.

Keywords

DASS-21, depression, anxiety, stress, negative affectivity, negative emotional states

Scoring and interpretation

For each subscale, summary scores are calculated separately: depression (items 3+5+10+13+16+17+21), anxiety (items 2+4+7+9+15+19+20) and stress (items 1+6+8+11+12+14+18). Scores from the DASS-21 must first be multiplied by two to be compared with normative data. Higher skins indicate a higher level of trait.

Response Scale

Respondents rate the frequency with which the above statements were true for them in the past week using a four-point scale (0 = not at all, 1 = sometimes, 2 = often, and 3 = almost always).

References

Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS21). (2023). Wisconsin. Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://arc.psych.wisc.edu/self-report/depression-anxiety-stress-scale-21-dass21/

Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS). (2022). Retrieved February 28, 2023, from http://www2.psy.unsw.edu.au/groups/dass/

Henry, J., & Crawford, J. (2005). The short-form version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21): Construct validity and normative data in a large non-clinical sample. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 44(2), 227-239. https://doi.org/10.1348/014466505X29657

Lovibond, S.H. & Lovibond, P.F. (1995). Manual for the Depression Anxiety & Stress Scales. (2nd Ed.) Sydney: Psychology Foundation.

Vilímovský, T., & Kučera, D. (2018). Vilimovský & Kučera Czech DASS21. DASS Translations. http://www2.psy.unsw.edu.au/dass/Czech/Vilimovsky%20Czech.htm