Scale Overview & Construct
42-item full-length measure of depression, anxiety, and stress over the past week. Each subscale has 14 items scored 0-3 (range 0-42 per subscale).
Purpose & Measurement Objectives
Instrument Specifications
Scientific Documentation & Psychometric Rigor
Internal Consistency & Reliability
Published studies consistently report high internal consistency (alpha generally above .80) for all three subscales.
Construct & Criterion Validity
Widely used and validated across clinical and non-clinical populations internationally since publication.
Academic Citations
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.
Academic Citation & Instrument Provenance
When referencing this instrument in research, academic theses, or clinical institutional audits, please cite the original author publication:
Governance, Boundaries & Ethical Use
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.