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Research Instrument Mental Health & Mood // DASS21

Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21

21-item short form measuring depression, anxiety, and stress over the past week. Each subscale has 7 items scored 0-3. Multiply subscale sums by 2 to compare with DASS-42 norms (0-42 range per subscale).

Purpose Details Scientific Documentation Limitations Related

Purpose

Self-report research instrument, reproduced here under an open license for non-diagnostic educational, research, and self-reflection use.

Details

Administration
Self-Administered
Intended Use
Research

Scientific Documentation

Developer / Author
Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. F.
Development Year
1995

Theoretical framework: Measures the three related but distinct negative emotional states of depression, anxiety, and (physiological/psychological) stress/tension, each as its own subscale.

Reliability: Published studies consistently report high internal consistency (alpha generally above .80) for all three subscales.

Validity: Widely used and validated across clinical and non-clinical populations internationally since publication.

References: Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. F. (1995). Manual for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (2nd ed.). Psychology Foundation of Australia. See also: Lovibond, P. F., & Lovibond, S. H. (1995). The structure of negative emotional states. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33(3), 335-343.

Limitations: Imported from the OpenScales open item-bank project. This specific digital implementation has not been independently clinically validated by PsiQ — scores are for self-reflection, research, and educational purposes only, and are not a diagnosis.

License: Public Domain (https://www2.psy.unsw.edu.au/groups/dass/DASSFAQ.htm#_3.__How_do_I_get_permission_to_use_). Citation: Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. F. (1995). Manual for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (2nd ed.). Psychology Foundation of Australia. This is not a diagnostic tool. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, please contact a licensed mental health professional or a crisis helpline in your country immediately.

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