Your WSAS results: what impairment scores mean and what to do next
A WSAS result shows how far the problem you named is reaching into work, home, leisure, and relationships. Look at the pattern across the five areas as well as the total. It is a description of impact, not a diagnosis. [2][4]
What should I do after I get a result?
Look at which areas are highest. The pattern points to the next step.
| If this stands out | It may suggest | A first step |
|---|---|---|
| Work is highest, other areas lower | The problem is concentrated in the job. | Look at the work causes. Try the workload audit and the manager conversation. |
| Social and private leisure are highest | You are too drained to enjoy anything. | Protect recovery time. Try the switch-off routine. Talk to someone. |
| Several areas are high, including relationships | The problem has spread across life. | Consider seeing a GP or doctor. You do not need to wait. |
| Low across the board | Your life is not much affected by this problem right now. | Keep an eye on it, and repeat if things change. |
Does a high score mean something is wrong with me?
No. A high score means that the problem you named is interfering with your life, which is information, not a verdict. Mundt and colleagues describe the higher bands as associated with more severe problems in clinical samples. [2] That does not turn a questionnaire result into a diagnosis, and a high score is a reason to speak to a doctor, not a reason to be afraid.
Can a low score rule out a problem?
No. A low score says the problem is not interfering much with the five areas right now. You can still be struggling, and impairment can follow later. If you feel unwell despite a low score, speak to a doctor.
How should I track change?
Use the same problem, answer in similar circumstances, and note what was happening. A difference of about 5 points is treated as meaningful by one publisher, while another set of researchers suggested 8. [3] Look at the trend and at what you can do in daily life.
What could I bring to a conversation?
The pattern across areas is the most useful thing. For example: "Work stress is affecting my work a lot, and my social life and sleep too. I would like to talk about what could change." HSE suggests talking to your manager, a colleague, or a GP if stress is hard to manage. [7]
Where can I find support?
In the UK, the NHS says to see a GP if you are struggling to cope with stress, and that adults can refer themselves to NHS talking therapies. [5] In the United States, NIMH lists 988 for immediate distress. [6] findahelpline.com lists services by country.
Common questions
What if work is my only high score?
Then the problem may be concentrated in the job. Look at the causes at work: the workload audit and the manager conversation are good places to start.
Can I use my WSAS result to ask for changes at work?
It is a self-report scale, not a medical assessment. Ask HR or your doctor what evidence your workplace needs for adjustments. HSE suggests you talk to your manager early, and describe the cause of the pressure. [7]
How big a change in my WSAS score matters?
Published thresholds differ: one publisher treats 5 points as meaningful and the researchers it cites proposed 8. [3] Look at the direction over time and how you feel.
Sources and further reading
These links open external research and health-information websites.
- LuriaLab: Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) test page
Five areas of functioning, age 18+, about 1 minute, and disclaimers. Response options and scoring are not described on the page. Read on 24 October 2026. - Mundt, Marks, Shear, and Greist (2002): The Work and Social Adjustment Scale: a simple measure of impairment in functioning. British Journal of Psychiatry, 180(5), 461-464
The original paper: five items, 0 to 8, over 500 patients in two treatment studies (depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder), reliability, validity, and the tentative score bands. - NovoPsych: Work and Social Adjustment Scale
A commercial publisher's summary of items, scoring, alternative bands, percentile context, reliability figures, and populations. Read on 24 October 2026. - LuriaLab glossary: What is functional impairment?
Describes functional impairment as interference with everyday roles, and the WSAS as rating five areas. Gives no numeric thresholds. - NHS: Get help with stress
Signs of stress, when to see a GP, urgent help routes in the UK, and self-referral to NHS talking therapies. - NIMH: I'm so stressed out! Fact sheet
When to seek professional help when symptoms interfere with everyday life, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. - HSE: Help for workers on stress at work
Who to talk to at work about stress, and the employer's duty in Great Britain.
This page is educational. A questionnaire score cannot establish a diagnosis or explain the cause of your symptoms. If you are struggling, speak with a doctor or mental health professional, whatever your score. Read when to get help for work stress or find a helpline in your country.