Decision Fatigue Scale (DFS)
How tired are you of making decisions?
Feeling worn out from making decisions? The DFS measures how mentally drained you have felt over the past week. 9 items, 4-point scale, about 3 minutes. Higher scores mean even small choices feel heavier.
What Is Decision Fatigue?
Decision fatigue is the gradual depletion of mental resources after a sustained period of decision-making. The more decisions you make, the harder each subsequent one feels — and the more likely you are to rush or avoid them altogether.
The DFS was developed by Hickman et al. (2018) for surrogate decision-makers in ICU settings, but the items tap into a universal experience. Anyone who has had to make too many decisions in a row knows the feeling.
Scoring
Sum of 9 items (0-3 scale), all positively scored, no reverse items. Range 0–27.
Interpretation
- 0–6: Low decision fatigue. Decision-making does not drain you noticeably.
- 7–13: Moderate. Decisions are starting to feel heavier.
- 14–20: High. Making decisions noticeably depletes your energy.
- 21–27: Very high. Everyday decisions have become a significant burden.
References
Hickman, R. L., Jr., Pignatiello, G. A., & Tahir, S. (2018). Evaluation of the Decisional Fatigue Scale among surrogate decision makers of the critically ill. *Western Journal of Nursing Research*, 40(2), 191–208.
Scoring Guide
Sum of all 9 items (0-3 scale). Range 0-27. All positively scored, no reverse items. Higher score = more decision fatigue. Note: No clinical cutoffs have been established; current levels are descriptive.Result Interpretation
After completing the 9 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
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed on screen. No account or login needed.