Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10)

The K10 is a self-report tool used to measure psychological distress. It helps in identifying individuals who may need further evaluation and treatment for mental health issues.

Overview

The K10 is used to assess psychological distress.

TARGET POPULATION

Adults

NUMBER OF ITEMS

10

TIME TO COMPLETE

5-10

minutes

FORMAT

Self-report

Scoring and Interpretation

Scoring Method: Each item is scored on a 5-point scale, with higher scores indicating greater distress.

Interpretation: Higher total scores indicate greater severity of psychological distress.

Psychometric Properties

Reliability: High internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.93)

Validity: Validated through numerous studies correlating K10 scores with clinical assessments of distress.

Clinical Usage

Administration Instructions: Self-administered.

Frequency: Used at initial assessment and periodically to monitor symptoms.

Use Cases: Used in clinical and research settings to assess and monitor psychological distress.

Research and References
Kessler, R. C., Andrews, G., Colpe, L. J., et al. (2002). Short screening scales to monitor population prevalences and trends in non-specific psychological distress. Psychological Medicine, 32(6), 959-976.

Related Assessments

PHQ-9,

GAD-7

The mental health assessment on this page may or may not be part of Clinicom. However, Clinicom’s adaptive assessment covers 81 DSM conditions. Clinicians, explore our free trial to experience the benefits.

Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) FAQS

What is the K10 used for?

The K10 is used to assess psychological distress.

How is the K10 scored?

Each item is scored on a 5-point scale, with higher scores indicating greater distress.

Who uses the K10?

It is typically self-administered by adults.

Why are you searching for Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) when you could be using Clinicom instead?

Clinicians, learn how you can get a Free Trial to Clinicom and start assessing your patients with assessments that adapt to your patients needs unlike any other assessment in history.

Important Note for Patients:

Clinicom’s assessment solutions are intended for clinicians. Patients should talk to their healthcare provider about using Clinicom.