What is the WHODAS II?

The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II) is a new measure of functioning and disability that is conceptually compatible with WHO's recent revisions to the International Classification of Functioning and Disability (ICIDH-2).

Domains of functioning assessed by the WHODAS II include

• Understanding and communicating
• Getting around
• Self care
• Getting along with others
• Household and work activities
• Participation in society

The WHODAS II is still under development. The final versions are expected to be released in 2001.

The WHODAS II distinguishes itself from other measures of health status, disability, and functioning in that it:

• is compatible with an international classification system
• is cross-culturally developed
• treats all disorders at parity when determining level of functioning

The WHO Psychiatric Disability Schedule (WHODAS) with a Guide to its Use was initially published by WHO in 1988 to provide a simple tool for assessing disturbances in social adjustment and behaviour in patients with a mental disorder. The current version (WHODAS II) represents a complete revision, reflective of WHO's current thinking about functioning and disability.

Psychometric testing of the WHODAS II has been rigorous and extensive. In 1998, an earlier draft (89 items) was tested in field trials in 21 sites and 19 countries. Based on psychometric analyses and further field testing in early 1999, the measure was shortened to 36 items, and a 12-item screening questionnaire was also developed. In late 1999, The WHODAS II underwent reliability and validity testing in 16 centres across 14 countries. Health services research studies (to test sensitivity to change and predictive validity) are being conducted in centres throughout the world during the year 2000.

Data have been examined using both classical test construction theory and item response theory (IRT) analyses. Results indicate that the 36-item, 6-domain version has excellent psychometric properties:

• A two level hierarchical structure emerges: individual items load onto one of six domains, which in turn load onto a general disablement factor (see figure below)
• All domains have factor loading of at least 0.7

Currently, the following versions are available …

Fully structured self-administered versions:

• 12 item

• 36 item

Fully structured interviewer-administered versions:

• 12 item
• 36 item
• 12 item screen + up to 24 additional questions, as indicated by screen responses

Fully structured proxy versions:

• 6 item proxy self-administered
• 36 item proxy self administered
• 36 item proxy interviewer-administered

To view and download these versions, click here.

WHO recognizes the need for semi-structured versions, in which questionnaire content can be tailored depending on the type and severity of problems that are endorsed by the respondent. Semi-structured versions of the WHODAS II (expert clinician administered and computer administered) are currently under development.

This distinction pertains to the 36-item and 12+24 item interviewer adminstered versions. For each, two options are available: day codes and days versions. The day codes version assesses number of days difficulties were present (out of the past 30 days) using a five-point ordinal scale, while the days version simply asks the respondent to report the actual number of days the difficulty was present.

Currently, the WHODAS II is available in the following languages:

If you would like to utilise one of our translations, or create another translation of the WHODAS II, you must first receive written permission. To request permission for translations, click here.

Everyone who administers the WHODAS II should read the Training Manual and complete the exercises contained in it.

Current scoring for the WHODAS II is based upon averaging responses and then transforming scores into a standard scale. It is anticipated that further refinements to WHODAS II scoring will be made. Registered users   of the WHODAS II will receive full details of the latest scoring upon approval of their study.

The final versions are expected to be released in 2001.

The WHODAS II is still under development. As such, if you would like to use the WHODAS II in your research at this point, you must first receive permission from the World Health Organization. Click here for the form that is needed to request permission.

The WHODAS II is still under development. As such, it is necessary for interested parties to register when requesting permission to download the measures. To register, click here.

Manuscripts regarding the WHODAS II's development and psychometric properties are being prepared currently. For a brief overview of WHODAS II development, please see the article The WHODAS II: levelling the playing field for all disorders  by JoAnne Epping-Jordan, Ph.D., and T. Bedirhan Üstün, M.D., in the WHO Bulletin of Mental Health.

Additional information about the WHODAS II may be obtained through the World Health Organization:

World Health Organization

Classification, Assessment and Survey Group (CAS)

Global Programme on Evidence for Health Policy (GPE)

Avenue Appia
CH-1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland