WSAS questions, 0 to 8 scale, and instructions
The WSAS has five items, each rated from 0 (no impairment) to 8 (very severe impairment), for work, home management, social leisure, private leisure, and close relationships. [2] You rate the effect of one problem you name, not everything in your life. [3]
What are the five items?
Each item asks how much your problem impairs one area. The areas are work, home management, social leisure activities, private leisure activities, and close relationships. [1][3] LuriaLab names the last one relationships with others. [1] The exact item wording belongs to the instrument's authors, and you will see it on LuriaLab.
| Item | Area | Rated |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Work | 0 to 8 |
| 2 | Home management | 0 to 8 |
| 3 | Social leisure activities | 0 to 8 |
| 4 | Private leisure activities | 0 to 8 |
| 5 | Close relationships | 0 to 8 |
What is the 0 to 8 scale?
Zero means not at all impaired and eight means very severely impaired. [2][3] NovoPsych labels only the endpoints on its page, and LuriaLab's page does not list response options. [1][3] You will see the exact labels on LuriaLab.
Which problem should I have in mind?
Choose one specific problem before you begin and keep it in mind for all five items. The items begin with the idea "because of my difficulties." [3] If you are exploring work stress, name it as "work stress" or "burnout" and rate only its effect. If you take it again later, use the same problem so the scores compare.
What if I am not working?
The work item has an extra option for people who are not working for reasons unrelated to their difficulties. If you choose it, the item is scored 0 and the total is calculated as normal. [3] If you are not working because of the problem, rate the impairment.
What time period should I think about?
Neither LuriaLab's page nor NovoPsych's summary states a recall period. [1][3] Answer for how things are for you now, and note the date if you plan to repeat it.
Can I take it in another language?
Translations are cited in German, Chinese, Spanish, and Norwegian. [3] As with any questionnaire, a translation may behave differently from the original.
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.
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.