WHODAS 2.0
WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0
WHO-developed measure of functioning across six domains; recommended as the DSM-5 cross-cutting functional measure.
What it measures
Past-30-day difficulty in six functional domains: cognition, mobility, self-care, getting along, life activities, and participation. 12-item short form also available.
Scoring and bands
Cutoffs
There isn't a single universal cutoff; WHODAS is anchored against population norms by age and country. Used clinically for tracking change, often in combination with symptom measures.
How to talk about the score
Pair symptom severity (PHQ-9, GAD-7, etc.) with functional impairment (WHODAS) to give a complete picture. Two clients with identical symptom severity can differ dramatically in functioning.
Limitations
- Longer than other measures (12-item version helps)
- Cultural variation in domain interpretation
- Some domains (mobility, self-care) less relevant for many psychiatric populations
- Self-report
Best used for
- Functional impairment tracking
- Disability documentation
- DSM-5 cross-cutting assessment recommendation
FAQ
Do I need to use the full 36-item version?
The 12-item version is well-validated and adequate for most clinical use. Use 36-item when you need domain-level detail.
How is WHODAS different from a quality-of-life measure?
WHODAS focuses on difficulty doing activities (functioning); QoL measures focus on subjective satisfaction. They correlate but capture different things.