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Kessler 6 psychological distress scores estimate how often a person has felt common stress and mood symptoms during the past 30 days and summarize the pattern into a single number. It is a short self check that helps you notice whether feelings are occasional or persistent and whether simple changes may be enough or a conversation with a professional could help.
You answer six plain questions and receive a total from 0 to 24 with a label that places the score in a broad band. A small breakdown highlights anxiety like items, low mood items, and effort or fatigue so you can see what is driving the total most strongly. Use the same time frame and similar conditions when you repeat the check so trends are comparable.
For example you might complete the items after a demanding month and see a score that lands in the mild band with anxiety like items higher than the rest. That points to steadying routines and light supports first, and a plan to check again soon. Scores close to a band edge can look different on another day, so treat them as a prompt to watch for direction rather than a final verdict.
This tool provides informational estimates and does not substitute professional advice. If you feel unsafe or in crisis, seek local help right away.
The measure captures frequency of psychological distress over a recent 30 day window. Each item is scored on a five point scale from none of the time to all of the time, producing integers from 0 to 4. The six item responses form a single total that summarizes current distress, and three simple subscores show emphasis across anxiety like feelings, low mood or worth, and effort or fatigue.
The total is the sum of all item scores. Subscores are formed by grouping items that track similar feelings. The anxiety like subscore uses items 1 and 3, the low mood subscore uses items 2, 4, and 6, and the effort or fatigue subscore is item 5. Subscore labels use quartiles of each subscore’s maximum to mark none, mild, moderate, or high emphasis.
Results are interpreted in four bands by total. Low signals minimal current distress. Mild suggests watchful self care and simple structure. Moderate suggests a discussion with a qualified professional. Severe suggests timely professional assessment, especially if safety concerns are present. Values near band edges can shift with day to day changes, so compare direction and context over time.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit/Datatype | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| xi | Item score for question i | integer 0 to 4 | Input |
| T | Total distress score | integer 0 to 24 | Derived |
| A | Anxiety like subscore (items 1 and 3) | integer 0 to 8 | Derived |
| M | Low mood subscore (items 2, 4, 6) | integer 0 to 12 | Derived |
| F | Effort or fatigue subscore (item 5) | integer 0 to 4 | Derived |
Responses: [2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 0].
Total 9 falls in the mild band; anxiety like items show moderate emphasis, with low mood and fatigue lower.
| Threshold band | Lower bound | Upper bound | Interpretation | Action cue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 0 | 7 | Minimal current distress. | Keep steady routines and supports. |
| Mild | 8 | 12 | Raised distress. | Use light structure and self care. |
| Moderate | 13 | 18 | Meaningful symptoms. | Consider professional guidance. |
| Severe | 19 | 24 | High current distress. | Seek timely professional assessment. |
Rounding and precision: totals and subscores are integers; percent progress is rounded to the nearest integer. Subscore labels follow quartiles of each subscore maximum using inclusive boundaries.
| Field | Type | Min | Max | Step/Pattern | Error text | Placeholder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item response | integer | 0 | 4 | step 1 | n/a | n/a |
Encoded answers (r) |
string | — | — | ^[0-4\-]{6}$ |
invalid strings are ignored | six characters |
| Input | Accepted families | Output | Encoding/precision | Rounding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Six item responses | radio choices 0 to 4 | Total, band, narrative | integers; band labels | nearest integer for percent |
| Answer export | CSV copy or download; DOCX export | Answer table | client generated files | n/a |
Networking and storage: processing is browser based; responses stay on the device and are not transmitted to a server. An optional URL parameter r encodes six characters for restoring or sharing answers.
Security considerations: inputs are numeric and bounds checked; encoded strings outside the allowed pattern are ignored. Avoid sharing sensitive notes in export files if devices are shared.
Privacy and compliance: no data is transmitted or stored server side; generated files remain on the device.
The Kessler 6 check collects six short responses and returns a total with an interpretation band.
Example: If items are [2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 0], the total is 9 which sits in the mild band with anxiety like items higher than others.
Repeat at similar times of day and compare direction rather than single points.
No. Responses are processed on the device and are not sent to a server. Exports create files locally.
Keep exported files private if devices are shared.It is a short screen that reflects recent feelings. Treat band labels as guides. Use trends and context for decisions.
Items are integers 0 to 4. Totals run 0 to 24. Subscores are 0 to 8, 0 to 12, and 0 to 4.
Yes. Repeat under similar conditions. Look for direction over time rather than small single changes.
Yes. You can copy answers to CSV, download a CSV file, or export to DOCX. Files are generated on the device.
Scores near a band edge can shift with small changes. Recheck soon and consider the subscore pattern and next steps.
Computation is local. Once the page is available, the check runs without network calls.
No account is required and there are no paywalls in this package.
r string has exactly six valid characters.