Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21)
21-item version — Assess past-week depression, anxiety, and stress
DASS-21 is a widely used clinical screening tool that measures three dimensions of emotional distress: depression, anxiety, and stress. 21 items, takes about 3-5 minutes.
What Is DASS-21?
The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) is a self-report instrument designed to measure the three related negative emotional states of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Three Dimensions
Depression: dysphoria, hopelessness, devaluation of life, self-deprecation, lack of interest/involvement, anhedonia, and inertia.
Anxiety: autonomic arousal, skeletal muscle effects, situational anxiety, and subjective experience of anxious affect.
Stress: difficulty relaxing, nervous arousal, being easily upset/agitated, irritable/over-reactive, and impatient.
Scoring
Each item is rated on a 4-point severity scale (0-3). Sum items for each subscale, multiply by 2 for full-scale equivalent scores.
| Subscale | Normal | Mild | Moderate | Severe | Extremely Severe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depression | 0-9 | 10-13 | 14-20 | 21-27 | ≥28 |
| Anxiety | 0-7 | 8-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | ≥20 |
| Stress | 0-14 | 15-18 | 19-25 | 26-33 | ≥34 |
Psychometric Properties
The DASS-21 demonstrates excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α: Depression = 0.94, Anxiety = 0.87, Stress = 0.91; Henry & Crawford, 2005) and has been validated across 40+ countries.
> ⚠️ Non-diagnostic notice: DASS-21 is a screening instrument, not a clinical diagnostic tool.
References
Lovibond, S.H. & Lovibond, P.F. (1995). Manual for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. (2nd Ed.) Sydney: Psychology Foundation.
Henry, J.D. & Crawford, J.R. (2005). British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 44(2), 227-239.
Result Interpretation
After completing the 21 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:
- Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
- Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
- Dimension breakdown — separate scores for each sub-scale
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed instantly on screen. No account, email, or login required.