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Categories: Assessment , Health & Fitness , Psychology
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The Kessler 10 (K10) is a concise, ten-item self-rating scale designed to flag general psychological distress experienced during the previous four weeks. It captures how often you felt nervous, hopeless, restless, fatigued, depressed, or worthless, creating an overall picture of current emotional strain and functional impact without requiring clinical supervision.

Each answer is scored from 1 to 5. Adding the ten answers yields a total between 10 and 50. Lower totals suggest minimal distress, while higher totals point to mild, moderate, or severe difficulty. A colour-coded gauge highlights where your result sits, letting you quickly see whether extra support could be valuable.

Use this quick self-check before discussing concerns with a health professional or whenever prolonged stress feels overwhelming and routine tasks become harder. Respond based on your immediate feelings, not on what you think is expected or appropriate. This tool cannot diagnose mental illness; only a qualified clinician can provide a formal assessment.

Technical Details:

Psychological distress is quantified by summing the numeric intensity of ten mood-related feelings reported during the last four weeks. The total is mapped to four severity bands established by large-scale population research.

  • Total range: 10 – 50
  • Band cut-offs: 10-19 low, 20-24 mild, 25-29 moderate, 30-50 severe
  • Addition is linear; no weighting or item reversal
  • Gauge colours correspond to each severity band
  • All processing occurs in your browser for privacy
BandRecommended action
Low (10-19)Maintain healthy routines
Mild (20-24)Increase self-care, monitor mood
Moderate (25-29)Schedule professional check-in
Severe (30-50)Seek prompt clinical support

No responses leave your device; calculations and the interactive charting layer run locally for instant feedback.

Calculations & Scoring:

The K10 uses straightforward addition to convert ten answers into a single distress score.

Sum each answer to obtain the total score.

ai=response
a1=4 First, convert each radio choice into its numeric value.

1≤ai≤5
a3=3 Every recorded value must stay within the valid 1–5 range.

S=0
S=25 Add the ten values to reach the total distress score.

S=25
S∈25‒29 Locate the total within the four predefined severity bands.

Band=Moderate
Colour=amber The gauge needle, badge, and interpretation text update instantly.

A score of 25 falls in the moderate distress band.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Follow these steps to complete the assessment confidently.

  1. Press Begin Assessment to reveal Question 1.
  2. Select a radio option from “None of the time” to “All of the time.”
  3. Watch the green progress bar track completion.
  4. Tap any item in the question list to review or change your answer.
  5. After question 10, inspect the coloured badge and half-donut gauge.
  6. Print or save the answers table for your records or to share with a professional.

FAQ:

Common questions about using and interpreting the K10 self-check.

Is my data stored?

No. All answers stay in your browser’s memory and vanish when you close or refresh the page.

What is a “good” score?

Scores between 10 and 19 indicate low distress and generally require no formal intervention beyond routine self-care.

Can I repeat the test?

Yes. Re-take the assessment any time; comparing weekly results can help track changes in wellbeing.

Does age affect thresholds?

No. The standard cut-offs apply across adult age groups, although interpretation may vary in a clinical context.

Why are four weeks measured?

This period balances recall accuracy with clinical relevance, capturing short-term trends without day-to-day noise.

Troubleshooting:

If something feels off, start here.

  • Progress bar stops moving – check that each question has exactly one selected option.
  • Badge shows “—” instead of a number – at least one question remains unanswered.
  • Gauge fails to load – refresh the page; if blocked, disable aggressive content filters.
  • Shared link opens blank assessment – ensure the URL contains the ?r= parameter copied in full.
  • Dark-mode colours unclear – switch your system theme or zoom level for better contrast.

Advanced Tips:

Unlock extra value from the scale.

  • Bookmark a completed URL to track personal progress across weeks.
  • Enable browser print preview to generate a PDF for telehealth sessions.
  • Pair weekly scores with a mood journal for richer context.
  • Compare K10 trends with sleep-quality or activity trackers for holistic insights.
  • Use the assessment in groups by clearing the page between participants.

Glossary:

Key terms used throughout the assessment.

Psychological distress
Unpleasant emotional state spanning anxiety and depression.
Severity band
Category describing the intensity of distress.
Self-rating scale
Questionnaire scored directly by the participant.
Gauge
Semi-circular chart displaying score position.
Cut-off
Threshold separating severity bands.
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