Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21)
Lovibond & Lovibond Three-Dimensional Emotional Assessment
Stressed, anxious, or feeling low? DASS-21 separates these three so you can see which one is really bothering you. 21 items covering depression, anxiety, and stress. Takes 5-8 minutes.
Three dimensions of distress
Emotional difficulties often overlap. Anxiety and depression frequently co-occur, and stress can amplify both. The DASS-21 pulls them apart: depression, anxiety, and stress each get their own subscale.
Each of the 21 items asks about your experience over the past week, rated on a 0–3 scale. The three subscales (7 items each) are scored separately — higher scores mean more distress in that dimension. Whichever one comes out highest is usually the part worth addressing first.
Where the scale comes from
Lovibond and Lovibond built the DASS in 1995, and the 21-item short form followed shortly after. Its length and its three separate subscales made it a common pick for screening distress.
- Internal consistency: α = 0.88–0.93 (subscales)
- Test-retest reliability: r = 0.71–0.81
- Completion time: 5–10 minutes
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 on screen. No account or login needed.