Psychological distress
Definition: The proportion of adults with very high levels of psychological distress as measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale – 10 items (K10). The K10 is a scale of non-specific psychological distress based on 10 questions about negative emotional states in the 4 weeks before being interviewed.
![](https://viz.aihw.gov.au:443//t/Public/views/IND_01Incidenceofheartattacks/IND_08PsychdistressDASH.png?:embed=y&:showVizHome=no&:display_spinner=no&:host_url=https%3a%2f%2fviz.aihw.gov.au%2f&filter=iframeSizedToWindow%3dtrue&embed_code_version=3&tabs=no&toolbar=yes&showAppBanner=false&display_count=no)
Source: ABS 2015d; Table S1.4.8.
- In 2014–15, 3.7% of adults had a very high level of psychological distress (ABS 2015d).
- Women were more likely than men to have a very high level of psychological distress—4.3% for women compared with 3.1% for men.
- The rate of very high psychological distress for women aged 55–64 was 5.8%.
- People aged 75 and over had the lowest rate of very high psychological distress (1.7%).
- Rates of very high psychological distress remained similar over time, with 3.5% of people in 2007–08 and 3.4% of people in 2011–12 reporting a very high level of psychological distress (ABS 2009b, 2012a).
For more information, see Chapter 3.12 'Mental health'.