Patient Health Questionnaire – 9

PHQ-9Depression

9 items

A 9-item depression scale assessing frequency of depressive symptoms over the past two weeks. One of the most validated depression screening tools.

Scoring

Sum all items (0–27). 0–4: minimal; 5–9: mild; 10–14: moderate; 15–19: moderately severe; 20–27: severe.

Citation

Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & Williams, J. B. W. (2001). The PHQ-9: Validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16(9), 606–613.

doi:10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x

License: Free for unrestricted use (Pfizer).

Items (9)

#1likert

Little interest or pleasure in doing things

03 · "Not at all" → "Nearly every day"

#2likert

Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless

03 · "Not at all" → "Nearly every day"

#3likert

Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much

03 · "Not at all" → "Nearly every day"

#4likert

Feeling tired or having little energy

03 · "Not at all" → "Nearly every day"

#5likert

Poor appetite or overeating

03 · "Not at all" → "Nearly every day"

#6likert

Feeling bad about yourself — or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down

03 · "Not at all" → "Nearly every day"

#7likert

Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television

03 · "Not at all" → "Nearly every day"

#8likert

Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed, or being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual

03 · "Not at all" → "Nearly every day"

#9likert

Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way

03 · "Not at all" → "Nearly every day"

Use this scale in your own ESM/EMA study — embed it as a survey within SMAAT.