Can the DASS be used with children / adolescents?
The DASS has been used with adolescents down to 14 years of age, but we have little data from that age range to confirm the validity of the scales. We would not recommend using the DASS with children below 14 years because it is likely that some children would not fully understand all of the terms used. Dr. Marianna Szabo (marianna@psych.usyd.edu.au) at the University of Sydney has been working on a simplified version of the DASS for use with children/adolescents, and she may be able to provide further information. Alternatives to the DASS for younger children include the Childrens Depression Inventory (CDI) for depression, and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) or the Revised Childrens Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS) for anxiety.
