In the last month, how often have you been upset because of something that happened unexpectedly?
FAQs
What is the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)?
The PSS is the most widely used psychological instrument for measuring the perception of stress. It measures the degree to which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful during the last month.
Who developed the PSS and when?
Developed by Sheldon Cohen, Tom Kamarck, and Robin Mermelstein in 1983.
What type of assessment is the PSS?
It is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess subjective stress levels.
What does the PSS measure?
- Unpredictability: The degree to which life feels unpredictable
- Uncontrollability: The extent to which life feels uncontrollable
- Overload: How overloaded or overwhelmed one feels
- General stress appraisal: Overall perception of stress in life
How many versions are there?
Three versions: PSS-14 (original), PSS-10 (most common), and PSS-4 (shortest). This assessment uses the PSS-10.
How is the PSS scored?
Scores range from 0-40 for PSS-10. Higher scores indicate higher perceived stress.
Who can use the PSS?
Adults and adolescents (12+ years), useful in clinical, research, and educational settings.
What are the strengths of the PSS?
Excellent reliability and validity, widely validated across cultures, measures subjective stress perception rather than just stressful events.
What are the limitations of the PSS?
May be influenced by current mood, doesn't identify specific stressors, cultural variations in stress perception should be considered.