WSAS: Work and Social Adjustment Scale

5-item simple measure of impaired functioning at work, home, and socially. ≈ 1 min to complete. Free with attribution.

self-efficacy 5 items ≈ 1 min Updated 2026-05-06

Score WSAS below → Download printable PDF View source paper (DOI)
What is WSAS? WSAS (Work and Social Adjustment Scale) is a validated instrument used to assess 5-item simple measure of impaired functioning at work, home, and socially.. It is used in 5-item simple measure of impaired functioning at work, home, and socially.. It comprises 5 items. Administration takes about 1 min.

What is WSAS?

WSAS (Work and Social Adjustment Scale) is a validated clinical instrument used to assess 5-item simple measure of impaired functioning at work, home, and socially.. It is most often used for 5-item simple measure of impaired functioning at work, home, and socially.. The instrument contains 5 items. Typical administration time is ≈ 1 min.

Source / attribution: Free to use with citation

Clinical context: when WSAS is used

5-item simple measure of impaired functioning at work, home, and socially. WSAS is part of standard practice in this setting because it provides a structured, replicable assessment that can be tracked over time and compared across patients or visits.

Like all screening or assessment instruments, WSAS is a structured aid — not a diagnostic test in isolation. Results should be interpreted alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Where a score crosses an actionable threshold, the next step is typically a more detailed clinical evaluation rather than a definitive diagnosis.

Score WSAS

Answer all 5 items below to see your WSAS score and interpretation.

Each item is scored on a 9-point scale (0–8). Your score updates live as you answer.

All scoring runs in your browser. No data is sent anywhere — close the tab and the answers are gone.

How WSAS is scored

Sum all 5 items scored 0-8. Total range 0-40. Higher scores = greater impairment.

Scoring notes: Sum all 5 items scored 0-8. Total range 0-40. Higher scores = greater impairment.

WSAS score interpretation

The cutoffs below are drawn from the published validation literature. Always interpret in clinical context.

Score rangeBandInterpretation
0–9Minimal impairmentNone
10–20Moderate impairmentConsider intervention
21–40Severe impairmentActive treatment

How to score WSAS: a step-by-step worked example

This is an illustrative walkthrough, not a real patient. Follow the same four steps with your own answers — or use the live calculator at the top of this page.

Step 1 — Score each item

Read each question and choose the response that best fits. Each response has a number next to it — that number is the item's score. The example below uses illustrative answers.

#ItemExample responseScore
1Because of my problem, my ability to work is impaired33
2Because of my problem, my home management (cleaning, tidying, shopping, cooking, looking after home/children, paying bills) is impaired33
3Because of my problem, my social leisure activities (with other people such as parties, bars, clubs, outings, visits, dating, home entertaining) are impaired33
4Because of my problem, my private leisure activities (done alone such as reading, gardening, collecting, sewing, walking alone) are impaired33
5Because of my problem, my ability to form and maintain close relationships with others, including those I live with, is impaired33

Step 2 — Add up the scores

Add up all the item scores you noted in Step 1.

3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 15

Step 3 — Look up the band

Find the row in the interpretation table whose range contains your total:

Total = 15 falls between 10 and 20Moderate impairment

Step 4 — What does this mean clinically?

Moderate impairment. Consider intervention

A score is one input alongside history and examination. WSAS supports clinical judgment — it does not replace it.

Score WSAS with your own answers above →

WSAS psychometric properties

Psychometric figures are drawn from the validation literature and may vary across clinical populations and translations.

Limitations & common pitfalls

How WSAS compares to other self-efficacy scales

If WSAS doesn't fit your context, related instruments in self-efficacy include:

ScaleMeasuresItemsTime
GSE10-item measure of general confidence in ability to cope with difficult demands in life.10≈ 2 min
MBI-GS16-item measure of burnout in occupational settings with three subscales.16≈ 5 min
OLBI16-item alternative burnout measure with exhaustion and disengagement subscales.16≈ 5 min
PHQ-9Severity of depression9≈ 3 minutes
GAD-7Severity of generalized anxiety7≈ 2 minutes
AUDIT10-item WHO screening tool for hazardous alcohol consumption and dependence.10≈ 3 min
CHA2DS2-VAScAnnual stroke risk in non-valvular atrial fibrillation8
Glasgow Coma ScaleLevel of consciousness after head injury3

Frequently asked questions about WSAS

What does WSAS measure?

WSAS (Work and Social Adjustment Scale) is a validated instrument that assesses 5-item simple measure of impaired functioning at work, home, and socially.. Its primary clinical use is 5-item simple measure of impaired functioning at work, home, and socially..

How long does WSAS take to complete?

WSAS typically takes ≈ 1 min to administer. Time can vary slightly depending on whether it is self-administered or clinician-led.

How many items are on WSAS?

WSAS contains 5 items. Items are summed to produce a total score.

What is a high WSAS score?

Scores of 21–40 fall in the "Severe impairment" band. Active treatment

What is a low WSAS score?

Scores of 0–9 fall in the "Minimal impairment" band. None

How reliable is WSAS?

WSAS has reported Cronbach's α of 0.88 in validation samples and test–retest reliability of 0.8. Sensitive to change; used in clinical trials.

Is WSAS free to use?

WSAS is free to use with attribution. Free to use with citation

What is the source paper for WSAS?

Mundt, J. C., Marks, I. M., Shear, M. K., & Greist, J. H. (2002). The Work and Social Adjustment Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry, 180(5), 461-464.

Can WSAS replace clinical judgment?

No. WSAS is a structured assessment aid. A score is one input alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Treatment decisions should never rest on a screening score alone.

References & validation

WSAS is supported by the following peer-reviewed sources: