Key original source: Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. F. (1995). Manual for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. (Plus many validation papers across populations.)
A review on [ScienceDirect](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032725006743) confirms that the DASS-21 remains a highly valid instrument across various cultures and languages. Research published in [ DASS-243
The DASS-243 yields three subscale scores, each ranging from 0 to 21. The scores are calculated by summing the ratings for each item within a subscale. The severity of symptoms can be interpreted using the following guidelines: Key original source: Lovibond, S
It is a public domain instrument , meaning it is free for researchers and clinicians to use. (1995)
The depression subscale assesses symptoms such as sadness, loss of interest, and changes in appetite and sleep patterns. The anxiety subscale evaluates symptoms such as fear, worry, and physiological arousal. The stress subscale measures symptoms such as irritability, tension, and difficulty relaxing.