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Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6)

Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) Test

Understand your overall emotional distress over the past month in about 2 minutes. Six quick items support fast screening across settings to spot who may need follow-up.

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Questions: 62 minutes

Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

19,092 views

2,022 completions

1,633 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

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How the Scales are Structured

example score

13/30

Psychological Distress Scale (PDS)

Measures the overall level of nonspecific psychological distress experienced over the past 30 days.

Low distress

Moderate distress

High distress

6 – 12: Low distress | 13 – 24: Moderate distress | 25 – 30: High distress

A score of 13 falls in the Moderate distress range, suggesting noticeable emotional strain in the past month without indicating any specific diagnosis.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Stressed and overwhelmed adults

44%OF USERS

People who have felt anxious, down, or emotionally strained lately and want a quick check of how intense it’s been over the past month.

Therapy and counseling starters

33%OF USERS

People beginning or considering counseling who need a simple baseline measure to discuss their current distress level with a professional.

Screening in studies or clinics

23%OF USERS

Patients or research participants who are asked to complete a brief screening to flag general psychological distress without a full diagnostic interview.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly

Your scores across each test scale are translated into plain, usable insights. You won’t just get numbers — you’ll learn how your results impact your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

AI-Powered
Interpretation

You’ll receive a structured, clinically-grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation, without exaggerated language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how your results compare to others. Anonymized platform data is used to create a percentile scale, which identifies whether your results are typical.

Practical
Recommendations

You’ll receive clear, actionable guidance tailored to your profile. These easy-to-implement suggestions focus on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

AI-Powered
Insights

Get insights on behavioral and thought patterns you might not notice on your own. By uncovering subtle connections between your responses, you’ll better understand what may be driving your current results.

Discuss with
an AI Therapist

Clarify, reflect, and explore your results right away. Talk through your experience, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue.

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Psychological Distress Scale (PDS)

Average

18.3

Normal range

15.2 — 21.5

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?

It measures overall psychological distress during the past four weeks. It reflects general emotional strain rather than a specific disorder.

How long does it take and how many items are included?

It includes six items. Most people complete it in about two minutes.

How are responses recorded?

Each item is rated by how often a feeling occurred over the past four weeks. Responses use an ordered frequency scale from “none of the time” to “all of the time.”

How should the score be interpreted?

Higher scores indicate higher distress and may indicate a need for further assessment. The score does not provide a diagnosis by itself.

Is it appropriate for different populations and languages?

It is used widely for screening and research across diverse adult groups. A validated Russian-language version is available for use when needed.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) Test - Symptoms and Signs

stress level

Psychological distress can be difficult to identify early, but it is important to assess efficiently to determine whether further evaluation may be indicated. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) is a brief self-report screening measure of nonspecific psychological distress over the past 4 weeks.

The instrument consists of 6 items and typically takes about 2 minutes to complete. Respondents rate how often they experienced common distress-related symptoms (e.g., depressed mood, nervousness), providing an overall index of recent emotional strain.

The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) is commonly used in clinical and research settings to support initial triage and population screening; it does not establish a diagnosis but can help identify individuals who may benefit from additional assessment. The measure is attributed to Kessler, R.

Author: Kessler, R.

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