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    Distress · 6 items · 0–24 · Kessler RC, et al. Short screening scales to monitor population prevalences and trends in non-specific psychological distress. Psychol Med. 2002.

    Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6): Scoring, Cutoffs & Interpretation

    Six-item self-report screen for non-specific psychological distress.

    K60 / 6

    During the past 30 days, about how often did you feel ...

    Scored locally - nothing leaves this page

    01nervous?
    02hopeless?
    03restless or fidgety?
    04so depressed that nothing could cheer you up?
    05that everything was an effort?
    06worthless?
    0 of 60 / 24

    02 - The clinician's brief

    01 - Scoring & cutoffs

    How scoring works.

    Score
    Severity
    Interpretation
    0–4
    Low or no distress
    Little or no psychological distress reported.
    5–12
    Moderate distress
    Moderate psychological distress; consider further assessment.
    13–24
    Serious distress
    High likelihood of a serious mental illness; clinical assessment indicated.

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