{{ progressPct }} %
  • {{ q.id }}. {{ q.text }}
{{ resultText.heading }}
{{ resultText.depLabel }} · {{ depSev }} {{ resultText.anxLabel }} · {{ anxSev }} {{ resultText.strLabel }} · {{ strSev }}

{{ resultText.answersHeading }}
# {{ resultText.questionCol }} {{ resultText.answerCol }}
{{ a.id }} {{ a.text }} {{ a.answer }}
Categories: Assessment , Health & Fitness , Psychology
Export to PDF Fullscreen

The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales 42 (DASS-42) quantifies three common emotional states through 42 plain-language statements. Each item is scored from 0 to 3, producing separate 0–42 totals for depression, anxiety and stress.

This tool guides you through the questionnaire in a reactive engine, instantly tallies each response, then visualises the three domain scores on an interactive charting layer. Coloured badges highlight severity bands so you can recognise whether results fall within normal limits or warrant extra attention.

A busy professional might complete the assessment on Monday morning, spot a moderate stress level and schedule restorative breaks accordingly. **Results do not constitute a clinical diagnosis; consult a qualified professional if scores cause concern.**

Technical Details:

1. Concept Overview

DASS-42 models negative affect by summing user ratings across three 14-item sub-scales. Scores reflect symptom frequency over the preceding week and align with population-normed severity cut-offs published by Lovibond & Lovibond (1995).

2. Core Equation

The raw score for each domain is the sum of its 14 item responses:

S= ∑i=114 xi

3. Severity Bands

BandDepressionAnxietyStress
Normal0 – 90 – 70 – 14
Mild10 – 138 – 915 – 18
Moderate14 – 2010 – 1419 – 25
Severe21 – 2715 – 1926 – 33
Extremely Severe28 – 4220 – 4234 – 42

4. Variables & Parameters

  • xi – individual item score (0–3).
  • S – raw sub-scale total (0–42).
  • Band – qualitative severity label derived from S.

5. Worked Example

A user selects values totalling 18 for depression, 6 for anxiety and 12 for stress. Severity mapping returns Moderate, Normal and Normal respectively.

6. Assumptions & Limitations

  • Self-report honesty is assumed; social desirability may bias answers.
  • Cut-offs derive from adult norms; values may misclassify adolescents.
  • The scale screens for symptom frequency, not functional impairment.
  • Cultural factors influencing emotional expression are not adjusted.

7. Edge Cases & Error Sources

  • Unanswered items default to zero and can understate severity.
  • Uniform maximal scores may indicate random rather than genuine input.
  • Very low literacy can impair item comprehension.
  • Rapid, same-value clicking may reflect inattentive responding.

8. Scientific Validity & References

Validation: Lovibond S.H. & Lovibond P.F. (1995) Manual for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales; Antony et al. (1998) Australian Psychologist 33:214-223.

9. Privacy & Compliance

All processing occurs locally; no personally identifiable data are transmitted. The method conforms to GDPR principles for client-side tools.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Complete the questionnaire once per sitting for a snapshot of the past week.

  1. Press the Start control to launch the questionnaire.
  2. Read each statement and select the option that best reflects your experience.
  3. Use the side list to revisit any unanswered or uncertain item.
  4. After all 42 responses are recorded, view your scores and colour-coded severity bands.
  5. Download or print the results if you wish to discuss them with a professional.

FAQ:

Is my data stored?

No. Responses live only in your browser session and disappear when you close the page.

What ages is it for?

DASS-42 was normed on adults 18+, but many practitioners apply it cautiously to older adolescents.

How often should I retake it?

Weekly intervals balance sensitivity to change with recall accuracy; avoid daily repetition to minimise reactivity.

Can the scores diagnose me?

No. The tool screens severity; only a licensed clinician can provide a formal diagnosis.

Why do results differ from last time?

Scores fluctuate with mood, sleep, stressors and honest variation in reporting; treat trends, not single points, as meaningful.

Glossary:

DASS-42
A 42-item self-report mental-health scale.
Domain
One of the three measured constructs: depression, anxiety or stress.
Raw Score
Sum of 14 item ratings for a domain.
Severity Band
Qualitative category mapping raw score to clinical significance.
Self-Report Bias
Distortion arising from social desirability or misunderstanding.

No data leaves your device; all calculations occur locally.

Embed this tool into your website using the following code: