K10
Kessler Psychological Distress Scale
Ten-item non-specific psychological distress measure widely used in population mental-health screening.
What it measures
Frequency over the past 30 days of ten anxiety and depressive symptoms — nervousness, hopelessness, restlessness, sadness, effort, worthlessness, etc. Yields a single distress score.
Scoring and bands
Cutoffs
Australia's GP system uses ≥22 as a Medicare-relevant cutoff for mental-health care plans; thresholds vary by setting. Strong correlate of any current disorder in population studies.
How to talk about the score
K10 is broad — it doesn't tell you what's wrong, just that something is. Pair with disorder-specific measures (PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5) for targeted treatment planning.
Limitations
- Non-specific — doesn't differentiate diagnoses
- Vulnerable to over-detection in medically ill populations
- Short window (30 days)
- Less sensitive to change than disorder-specific measures
Best used for
- Population screening
- Initial triage in stepped-care systems
- Quick general distress check
FAQ
Should I use K10 or PHQ-9/GAD-7 at intake?
Use disorder-specific measures (PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5) when you have any hypothesis about diagnosis. Use K10 for stepped-care triage or when you want a single general distress number.
Is the K6 (shorter version) okay?
Yes — the K6 is widely used and reasonably correlated with the K10. The K10 gives a slightly more nuanced score and is preferable when administration burden permits.