Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS)
The Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) is a 15-question measure of how well a person can tolerate negative emotional states. Because it relates to emotion regulation, impulsivity, and coping capacity, it is frequently used in approaches such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). On this scale, higher scores indicate a greater capacity to tolerate negative emotions.
- Questions
- 15
- Est. time
- ~6 min
- Delivery
- Online · remote
- Scoring
- Automatic
What does the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) measure?
- •Capacity to tolerate negative emotions
- •Regulating and coping with distress
- •Tendency to avoid distress
Who is it for?
Used in adults to assess emotion-regulation and coping capacity.
How is the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) scored and interpreted?
Questions are scored 0–4; the total ranges from 0 to 60. On this scale higher is favorable: lower scores indicate a lower capacity to tolerate negative emotions.
| Score range | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20 | Low distress tolerance | Capacity to tolerate negative emotions is low. |
| 21–40 | Moderate distress tolerance | Tolerance capacity is moderate. |
| 41–60 | High distress tolerance | Capacity to tolerate negative emotions is high. |
Frequently asked questions
Is a high score on the distress tolerance scale good or bad?
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On this scale a high score is favorable; it indicates a high capacity to tolerate negative emotions. A low score indicates coping difficulty.
How many questions does the scale have?
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It has 15 questions, with a total from 0 to 60.
Does this scale provide a diagnosis?
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No. This is a screening/assessment tool; it does not provide a clinical diagnosis on its own. Results should be interpreted only by a licensed mental-health professional as part of a clinical evaluation.
Related scales
- Anger Control ScaleA 34-question scale assessing anger level and styles of expressing/controlling anger.
- Borderline Personality Traits TestA self-report test screening for borderline personality traits.
- Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES)A 28-question screening scale measuring the frequency of dissociative experiences.
- Panic Attack TestA 20-question scale screening for symptoms associated with panic attacks and panic disorder.
This page is informational and does not contain the actual questions. The Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) is a screening/assessment tool and does not provide a diagnosis on its own. Results should be interpreted only by a licensed mental-health professional as part of a clinical evaluation.
Administer the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) to your clients
With Psikometri, assign this scale remotely via a single link; results are scored automatically and turned into a report. No credit card required.
- ✓Automatic scoring and severity band
- ✓One-click, branded PDF reports
- ✓KVKK-compliant, encrypted and secure