K10

The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) is a simple and widely-used tool for assessing psychological distress. It was developed by Professor Ronald C. Kessler and colleagues and is specifically designed to identify individuals who are likely to be experiencing a mental health disorder. Here’s an overview of its key features:

1. Purpose and Use: The K10 is primarily used as a screening tool to measure non-specific psychological distress, including symptoms of anxiety and depression. It helps in identifying individuals who may need further evaluation for mental health issues.
2. Questionnaire Format: The K10 consists of 10 questions. These questions ask individuals about their emotional state over the past 4 weeks. The questions cover feelings such as nervousness, hopelessness, restlessness, depression, and worthlessness.
   1. Fatigue How often did you feel tired out for no good reason?
   2. Fatigue++ How often did you feel that everything was an effort?
   3. Nervous How often did you feel nervous?
   4. Nervous++ How often did you feel so nervous that nothing could calm you down?
   5. Restless How often did you feel restless or fidgety?
   6. Restless++ How often did you feel so restless that you could not sit still?
   7. Depressed How often did you feel depressed?
   8. Depressed++ How often did you feel so sad that nothing could cheer you up?
   9. Hopeless How often did you feel hopeless?
   10. Worthless How often did you feel worthless?
3. Response Options: Respondents answer each question based on a 5-point scale
   1. none of the time
   2. a little of the time
   3. some of the time
   4. most of the time
   5. all of the time
4. Scoring: Scores for each item range from 1 to 5, with the total score ranging from 10 to 50. Higher scores indicate higher levels of psychological distress.
5. Interpretation of Scores:
   • Under 20 are likely to be well
   • 20–24 are likely to have a mild mental health disorder
   • 25–29 are likely to have moderate mental health disorder
   • 30 and over are likely to have a severe mental health disorder.
6. Validity and Reliability: The K10 has been validated in many studies and is considered a reliable tool for screening psychological distress in the general population. It’s used in various settings, including primary care, research, and population health surveys.
7. Advantages: The K10 is brief and easy to administer, making it a practical tool for quickly screening large numbers of people. It’s also non-invasive and can be self-administered.
8. Limitations: While the K10 is effective for screening, it does not diagnose specific mental health disorders. A high score on the K10 indicates the need for further assessment by a mental health professional. Additionally, it may not capture all aspects of mental health, such as specific phobias or substance use disorders.
9. Applications: The K10 is widely used in various contexts, including clinical settings, community surveys, and research studies, to assess mental health needs and monitor changes in psychological distress over time.

In summary, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) is a concise and effective tool for assessing general psychological distress, particularly symptoms related to anxiety and depression. It’s widely used for screening purposes and can help in identifying individuals who may benefit from further mental health evaluation and intervention.