Demoralization Scale-II
DS-II is a 16-item measure of demoralization over the last two weeks, with Meaning and Purpose and Distress and Coping Ability subscales. This page is catalogue information for clinics. It is not a diagnosis and not a public test.
Overview
What is the DS-II?
The Demoralization Scale-II asks about meaning, purpose, and coping over the last two weeks. Its published low (0 to 3), moderate (4 to 10) and high (11 or more) ranges are prompts for clinician review. It is not a diagnosis and not an end-of-life plan.
Development and clinical use
Robinson, Kissane and colleagues refined the Demoralization Scale into the 16-item DS-II in 2016, with a three-point response scale and two eight-item subscales.
- Catalogue status
- Catalogue information
- Mode
- Patient self-report
- Typical use
- Review meaning, purpose, and coping distress
- Ranges
- Low 0-3, moderate 4-10, high 11 or more
- Source
- Robinson et al. 2016
- Clinical role
- Screening support
Administration
A focused client experience
DS-II is completed as a focused self-report and stored for clinician review. This public page does not collect answers or return a score.
- One question at a time with visible progress
- Large keyboard-operable response choices
- Previous, next, and answer-review steps
- Clear confirmation that results go to the clinic
The illustration shows layout only. It does not reproduce DS-II item wording.
Report showcase
Designed to make evidence easy to review
The downloadable synthetic example illustrates report layout using invented response patterns, without patient data or instrument questions.
- Named instrument, version, and provenance
- Item-level response pattern without source wording
- Methodology, references, and clinical boundary
- Responsible clinician review rather than automated conclusions
Clinician review required
Methodology
Understand the measure and its scoring conventions
Published scoring conventions may exist in official materials. This public page does not independently verify scoring, cutoffs, or a production scoring rule. Use the official form and scoring instructions for the version you intend to use.
References
- DS-II source literatureRobinson S, Kissane DW, Brooker J, et al. Refinement and revalidation of the demoralization scale: the DS-II-internal validity. Cancer. 2016;122(14):2251-2259.
Questions
What clinics ask before they evaluate the DS-II
These answers stay inside educational catalogue scope. They do not replace official manuals or clinician judgement.
Does a DS-II total diagnose a psychiatric disorder?
No. The published ranges are prompts for clinician review. They are not a diagnosis.
Can I complete DS-II here?
No. This landing does not collect answers or return a score.
Does Lirena monitor these answers in real time?
No. Your clinic remains responsible for review, safeguarding, and any escalation.
Is this an end-of-life decision tool?
No. It records reported distress. Care planning remains a clinician-led task.
See who needs psychosocial attention, why, and whether they are improving.
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