Depression Anxiety Stress Scales – Short Form (DASS-21)
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The DASS-21 is a 21-item self-report scale that measures symptoms across three related domains: depression, anxiety, and stress. It offers a brief but validated way to assess emotional distress in clinical and community settings.
Recommended Frequency: Use at intake and repeat every 2–4 weeks during treatment for mood or anxiety disorders, or as clinically indicated.
About the DASS-21
The DASS-21 is a shortened version of the original 42-item scale developed by Lovibond and Lovibond (1995). It is designed to differentiate between symptoms of depression (e.g., low mood, hopelessness), anxiety (e.g., fear, physical tension), and stress (e.g., irritability, difficulty relaxing).
It is not a diagnostic tool but is useful for tracking symptom severity and treatment outcomes.
Each of the three sub-scales includes 7 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (0–3), reflecting the past week.
Psychometric Properties
The DASS-21 has been widely validated across diverse populations and languages:
- Internal consistency: α = 0.87–0.94 across subscales
- Factor structure: Supports three distinct but related constructs
- Correlates strongly with other measures of depression and anxiety (e.g., BDI, STAI)
- Sensitive to change in clinical settings
Sources: Antony et al., 1998; Henry & Crawford, 2005
The Scale
The DASS-21 includes 21 items, rated 0 (Did not apply to me at all) to 3 (Applied to me very much or most of the time).
Each subscale score is summed and then multiplied by 2 to match the DASS-42 scoring convention.
Example items:
- Depression: “I felt that life was meaningless”
- Anxiety: “I felt I was close to panic”
- Stress: “I found it difficult to relax”
Score Range
Each subscale (Depression, Anxiety, Stress) is scored separately and multiplied by 2:
| Severity | Depression | Anxiety | Stress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 0-9 | 0-7 | 0-14 |
| Mild | 10-13 | 8-9 | 15-18 |
| Moderate | 14-20 | 10-14 | 19-25 |
| Severe | 21-27 | 15-19 | 26-33 |
| Extremely Severe | 28+ | 20+ | 34+ |
Copyright
© Psychology Foundation of Australia. Freely available for non-commercial use with proper attribution.
References
- Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. F. (1995). Manual for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (2nd Ed). Psychology Foundation of Australia. https://www2.psy.unsw.edu.au/dass/
- Antony, M. M., Bieling, P. J., Cox, B. J., Enns, M. W., & Swinson, R. P. (1998). Psychometric properties of the 42-item and 21-item versions of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales in clinical groups and a community sample. Psychological Assessment, 10(2), 176–181. https://doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.10.2.176
- Henry, J. D., & Crawford, J. R. (2005). The short-form version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21): Construct validity and normative data in a large non-clinical sample. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 44(2), 227–239. https://doi.org/10.1348/014466505X29657
Disclaimer
This summary is for informational purposes only. The DASS-21 is a screening and monitoring tool, not a diagnostic assessment. HiBoop does not interpret or score this tool. Clinical interpretation should be conducted by a qualified provider.
Permissions
The DASS-21 is freely available for non-commercial clinical and research use with appropriate citation. Redistribution or commercial adaptation requires permission from the Psychology Foundation of Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the DASS-21 diagnose depression or anxiety?
No, it is a dimensional screener, not a diagnostic tool. It indicates symptom severity only.
How does the DASS-21 differ from other screeners like the PHQ-9 or GAD-7?
The DASS-21 assesses three domains at once and captures stress as a distinct construct.
Is this tool appropriate for youth?
Yes, it is validated for ages 12+ and has been widely used with adolescents.