3 items · 1 min

Anger Reactions Test (DAR-3)

How often do you get angry, how strongly, and for how long? The DAR-3 is a three-question anger check developed by Australian and US researchers led by David Forbes (Phoenix Australia, University of Melbourne). It takes under a minute and shows whether your anger over the past four weeks reaches the level the researchers flag as problematic, with practical next steps.

3 questionsAbout 1 minutesConfidential

Scientific background: Forbes D, LeardMann CA, Lawrence-Wood E, Villalobos J, Madden K, Gutierrez IA, Cowlishaw S, Baur J, Adler AB. Three-Item Dimensions of Anger Reactions Scale. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(2):e2354741. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.54741. © 2024 Forbes D et al. Open access under the CC-BY License (https://jamanetwork.com/pages/cc-by-license-permissions). English items verbatim from the article (Table 2); timeframe and response options from the Phoenix Australia DAR-5 form. Traditional Chinese: 樹洞香港自行翻譯，未經心理計量驗證 (Treehole Hong Kong translation, not psychometrically validated). Learn more

Start the test

This result is for reference only and is not a medical diagnosis. The DAR-3 was published by Forbes et al. (2024) in JAMA Network Open under a CC BY licence; the Chinese wording is Treehole Hong Kong's own translation and has not been psychometrically validated. If you feel you might hurt yourself or someone else, call The Samaritans 24-hour hotline on 2896 0000, or 999 in an emergency.

Forbes D, LeardMann CA, Lawrence-Wood E, Villalobos J, Madden K, Gutierrez IA, Cowlishaw S, Baur J, Adler AB. Three-Item Dimensions of Anger Reactions Scale. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(2):e2354741. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.54741. © 2024 Forbes D et al. Open access under the CC-BY License (https://jamanetwork.com/pages/cc-by-license-permissions).

Anger Reactions Test (DAR-3)

0 / 3

Thinking over the past 4 weeks, choose the option that best describes the amount of time you felt that way for each statement.

Thinking over the past 4 weeks
1
I found myself getting angry at people or situations
2
When I got angry, I got really mad
3
When I got angry, I stayed angry

Answer all questions to view your report

Complete the assessment to open your report.

Make your report more meaningful(optional)

Share your age and sex, and once enough people have taken this test your report can be compared with Hong Kong takers of the same age group and sex.

Age

Sex

Education

Occupation

I agree to let my results be used for research.

Your answers may be used for research; aggregated results may be published online or in academic journals. Your personal data stays confidential.

Results are for reference only and do not constitute a medical diagnosis — if you have concerns, please consult a doctor or mental-health professional.

Related tests

Frequently asked questions

What is the DAR-3?

The DAR-3 (three-item Dimensions of Anger Reactions scale) is a very short self-report measure of problematic anger. It was developed by Australian and US researchers led by David Forbes (Phoenix Australia, University of Melbourne) by keeping the three items of the five-item DAR-5 that ask about how often you get angry, how strongly and for how long, and was published in JAMA Network Open in 2024 under a CC BY licence.

How is it scored? What counts as high?

Each question is scored from 1 (none or almost none of the time) to 5 (all or almost all of the time), giving a total of 3 to 15. In the 2024 study, a total of 8 or more was the cut-off that best identified problematic anger. The study used large Australian and US military and veteran samples, so the cut-off may not fit everyone equally well; treat your score as a signal, not a verdict.

Is getting angry a problem? Can this test diagnose me?

Anger is a normal emotion; it often tells us that something feels unfair or that a limit has been crossed. It becomes a problem when it comes often, very strongly or lingers, and starts to affect relationships, work or health. The DAR-3 is a screening tool, not a diagnosis; only a qualified professional can assess what is going on for you.

Why does it not ask about aggression?

The DAR-3 focuses on the experience of anger itself: frequency, intensity and duration. The longer DAR-5 also asks about wanting to hit someone and about anger getting in the way of relationships. Whatever your score, if anger has led you to frighten or hurt someone, or you worry that it might, that is a good reason to talk to a professional.

What should I do if my score is high?

A score of 8 or more suggests anger has been taking up a lot of room in your life lately. Anger management is usually approached through structured psychological therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy; our clinical psychology service offers assessment and evidence-based treatment, and our psychotherapy service offers ongoing support. If anger is straining a relationship, couple counselling can help both of you. If you feel you might hurt yourself or someone else, call The Samaritans 24-hour hotline on 2896 0000.

Is anger related to stress, anxiety or low mood?

Often, yes. In the 2024 study, higher DAR-3 scores went together with depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Irritability can also be part of anxiety, exhaustion or poor sleep. If your mood or worry has also been difficult, you can follow this test with the PHQ-9 depression test and the GAD-7 anxiety test.

How often should I retake it?

The questions cover the past four weeks, so retaking it about once a month shows whether things are changing, for example after you try new ways of cooling down or start therapy.

Are my answers confidential? Do I need an account?

Your answers may be used for research; aggregated results may be published online or in academic journals. Your personal data stays confidential. The test is free and no account is needed to see your result — creating one is optional and lets you track changes over time.

Answer all questions to view your report

Complete the assessment to open your report.

Make your report more meaningful(optional)

Share your age and sex, and once enough people have taken this test your report can be compared with Hong Kong takers of the same age group and sex.

Age

Sex

Education

Occupation

I agree to let my results be used for research.

Your answers may be used for research; aggregated results may be published online or in academic journals. Your personal data stays confidential.

Results are for reference only and do not constitute a medical diagnosis — if you have concerns, please consult a doctor or mental-health professional.

Frequently asked questions

What is the DAR-3?

How is it scored? What counts as high?

Is getting angry a problem? Can this test diagnose me?

Why does it not ask about aggression?

What should I do if my score is high?

Is anger related to stress, anxiety or low mood?

How often should I retake it?

The questions cover the past four weeks, so retaking it about once a month shows whether things are changing, for example after you try new ways of cooling down or start therapy.

Are my answers confidential? Do I need an account?

Anger Reactions Test (DAR-3)

Answer all questions to view your report

Related tests

😮‍💨 Emotional Distress Self-Test (K10)

Rejection Sensitivity Test (A-RSQ)

PTSD & CPTSD Trauma Test (ITQ)

Frequently asked questions

Anger Reactions Test (DAR-3)

Answer all questions to view your report

Related tests

😮‍💨 Emotional Distress Self-Test (K10)

Rejection Sensitivity Test (A-RSQ)

PTSD & CPTSD Trauma Test (ITQ)

Frequently asked questions