Depression Scale (Lovibond Short Form)

What it measures

Seven items capture core features of depression including hopelessness, meaninglessness, low self-worth, anhedonia, and motivational deficits. Adapted from the DASS-Depression subscale for use in consumer research.

Response format

7-point Likert (1=strongly disagree, 7=strongly agree)

Scale items

• I often feel downhearted and blue.
• I regularly feel like I have nothing to look forward to.
• I often feel that life is meaningless.
• I often feel like I am not worth much as a person.
• I have difficulty becoming enthusiastic about almost anything.
• I can't seem to experience any positive feeling at all.
• I find it difficult to work up the initiative to do things.

Full scale items shown. Always cite the original source when using this scale in research.

Usage notes & scoring

Slight adaptation by Burroughs and Rindfleisch (2002) of the Lovibond and Lovibond (1995) DASS-Depression subscale. Alpha .93 (n=373). Used in a materialism and well-being research context.

Recommended companion scales

Citation

Lovibond, P. F., & Lovibond, S. H. (1995). The structure of negative emotional states: Comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33(3), 335–343.

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