"DASS" stands for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales. It refers to a widely used psychological instrument that measures and quantifies symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.
The DASS is a self-report questionnaire that assesses the severity of these three psychological domains. It consists of three subscales, each of which evaluates a particular aspect: the Depression subscale measures the presence and intensity of depressive symptoms such as low mood, lack of interest, and hopelessness; the Anxiety subscale assesses symptoms of anxiety like restlessness, tension, and intrusive thoughts; and finally, the Stress subscale evaluates symptoms related to difficulty coping with daily life stressors, irritability, and a sense of being overwhelmed.
The questionnaire typically consists of 42 items, with 14 items dedicated to each subscale. Participants rate the frequency and intensity of their experiences during the past week on a Likert scale, usually ranging from "0 = Did not apply to me at all" to "3 = Applied to me very much, or most of the time." Higher scores indicate higher levels of depression, anxiety, or stress.
Due to its brevity, ease of administration, and strong psychometric properties, the DASS has become a valuable tool in both clinical and research settings. It helps healthcare professionals to assess and monitor the severity of depressive, anxiety, and stress-related symptoms in individuals, aiding in diagnosis, treatment planning, and evaluating treatment outcomes.
