Work and Social Adjustment Scale

What it measures

A brief, transdiagnostic measure of functional impairment across work, home management, social leisure, private leisure, and personal/family relationships. Widely used as a secondary outcome measure in mental health RCTs alongside symptom measures. Scores reflect the functional burden of any disorder.

Response format

Likert (0–8 per item, 0=not at all to 8=very severely); total 0–40

Representative items

• Because of my [problem], my ability to work is impaired. (0=not at all impaired to 8=very severely impaired — unable to work)
• Because of my [problem], my home management is impaired.
• Because of my [problem], my ability to socialise with other people is impaired.
• Because of my [problem], private leisure activities are impaired.
• Because of my [problem], my ability to form and maintain close relationships with others, including those I live with, is impaired.

Usage notes & scoring

Insert the relevant problem/disorder name in the [problem] placeholder. Score ranges: <=9 subclinical, 10–20 significant functional impairment, >20 moderately severe to severe impairment. Freely available. Widely used across anxiety, depression, and OCD clinical trials as a functional outcome.

Recommended companion scales

Citation

Mundt, J.C., Marks, I.M., Shear, M.K., & Greist, J.H. (2002). The Work and Social Adjustment Scale: A simple measure of impairment in functioning. British Journal of Psychiatry, 180(5), 461–464.

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