The DASS-Y (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale – Youth) is a 21-item self-report questionnaire developed by Marianna Szabo and Peter F. Lovibond (2022) at the University of New South Wales, Australia, that measures depression, anxiety, and stress in children and adolescents aged 7–18. Each of the three subscales contains 7 items rated on a 0–3 Likert scale (“not true” to “very true”), with subscale scores ranging from 0–21 and a total score from 0–63. The DASS-Y is a standalone instrument and scores must not be doubled or compared directly to adult DASS norms. The instrument demonstrates good-to-excellent internal consistency (α = 0.84–0.89 across subscales) and has been validated across multiple countries and cultural contexts. Zentake delivers the DASS-Y as a secure, auto-scored digital form with EMR-ready reporting.
Each of the 21 items is rated 0 (“not true”) to 3 (“very true”), reflecting how the youth felt during the past week. Sum the 7 items within each subscale to produce a subscale score (range: 0–21). Sum all 21 items for the total score (range: 0–63). Do not multiply by two — unlike the adult DASS-21, the DASS-Y uses its own normative cutoffs derived from a sample of N=2,121 Australian youth (Szabo & Lovibond, 2022).
Severity thresholds for each subscale (Szabo & Lovibond, 2022):
Zentake automatically calculates DASS-Y subscale and total scores upon form submission, flagging severity thresholds and generating clinician-ready reports.
Step 1: Select the appropriate version. The DASS-Y is designed for youth aged 7–18. For children under 10, consider clinician-assisted administration due to reading level demands.
Step 2: Deliver the form before or during the appointment. Use Zentake to send the DASS-Y via secure text or email link, or display it on a tablet in the waiting room for in-clinic completion.
Step 3: Explain the rating scale and time frame. Instruct the child or adolescent to rate each item based on how true it felt during the past week, using the 0–3 scale. Clarify that there are no right or wrong answers.
Step 4: Review auto-scored results before the session. Zentake calculates subscale and total scores and displays severity levels. Clinicians can review flagged thresholds and prepare targeted clinical follow-up questions.
Step 5: Integrate results into the clinical record. Zentake exports DASS-Y results in EMR-compatible formats. For longitudinal monitoring, re-administer at regular intervals and track change using Zentake’s measures dashboard.
Scoring: Paper DASS-Y requires manual subscale addition and severity look-up. Zentake auto-calculates Depression, Anxiety, and Stress subscale scores and total score with severity labels on submission.
Completion: Paper forms require in-person handoff and return. Zentake delivers the DASS-Y via encrypted link for completion on any device, before or during the appointment.
Delivery: Paper forms require printing and physical distribution. Zentake sends the DASS-Y via secure email or SMS and supports in-clinic tablet completion.
Data Storage: Paper forms require locked filing for HIPAA compliance. Zentake stores all responses in HIPAA-compliant cloud storage with automated audit trails.
Longitudinal Tracking: Paper-based tracking requires manual charting. Zentake’s measures dashboard visualizes DASS-Y score trends over time, supporting outcome monitoring.
Security: Paper forms risk unauthorized access or loss. Zentake uses end-to-end encryption and role-based access controls.
Integration: Paper DASS-Y results must be manually entered into EMRs. Zentake exports results directly to compatible EMR platforms.
Cost: Ongoing printing and staff processing add up. Zentake eliminates these costs while improving data accuracy.
What does the DASS-Y measure?
The DASS-Y measures three distinct psychological constructs in children and adolescents: depression (anhedonia, low mood, hopelessness), anxiety (physiological arousal, fear), and stress (tension, irritability, difficulty relaxing). Each construct is measured independently on a 7-item subscale. This differentiation helps clinicians identify the primary emotional distress domain and target interventions accordingly.
How do you score the DASS-Y?
Sum the 7 items within each subscale (Depression, Anxiety, Stress) to produce three subscale scores (each 0–21), and sum all 21 items for a total score (0–63). Unlike the adult DASS-21, scores are not multiplied by two. Severity is interpreted using DASS-Y-specific norms derived from Szabo & Lovibond (2022). Zentake auto-calculates all scores upon submission.
What age is the DASS-Y for?
The DASS-Y is validated for children and adolescents aged 7–18 years. The instrument was developed and normed on a sample of 2,121 Australian youth in primary school (grades 3–6) and high school (grades 7–12). For children younger than 10, clinician-assisted administration is recommended.
How long does the DASS-Y take to complete?
The DASS-Y typically takes 5–10 minutes to complete, depending on the child’s age and reading level. Zentake’s mobile-friendly digital format reduces completion time and eliminates the need for paper handling or manual scoring.
Is the DASS-Y free to use?
Yes. The DASS-Y is a public domain instrument made freely available by the University of New South Wales. It may be used without charge for clinical and research purposes. Zentake’s digital DASS-Y platform subscription covers secure delivery, auto-scoring, and EMR integration.
Who should administer the DASS-Y?
The DASS-Y can be self-administered by literate children and adolescents aged 7–18, or clinician-assisted for younger or lower-literacy youth. It is typically used by psychologists, school counselors, pediatricians, and mental health clinicians. Zentake supports both self-administered and clinician-guided delivery formats.
How is the DASS-Y different from the DASS-21?
The DASS-Y uses simplified, youth-appropriate language and has its own normative cutoffs — it cannot be directly compared to DASS-21 scores. Scores are not multiplied by two, and severity thresholds differ from adult norms. The DASS-Y was validated specifically for youth aged 7–18, while the DASS-21 is validated for adults aged 18+.
What are the psychometric properties of the DASS-Y?
The DASS-Y demonstrates good-to-excellent internal consistency with Cronbach’s α values of 0.89 (Depression), 0.84 (Anxiety), and 0.84 (Stress) in the original development sample. The three-factor structure has been validated in multiple cross-cultural samples including Australian, Chinese, Polish, Iranian, and Arabic populations (see References).
1. Szabo, M., & Lovibond, P. F. (2022). Development and psychometric properties of the DASS-Youth (DASS-Y): An extension of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) to adolescents and children. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 766890. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.766890
2. Lovibond, P. F., & Lovibond, S. H. (1995). The structure of negative emotional states: Comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33(3), 335–343.
3. University of New South Wales. DASS-Y severity cutoffs. Retrieved from https://www2.psy.unsw.edu.au/dass/
Last updated: March 2026
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