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Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) Assessment

Take the scientifically validated Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) developed by Cohen, Kamarck, and Mermelstein. This evidence-based tool measures how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded you find your life.

By Peony Health Team
Scientifically validated
Quick 5-minute assessment
Evidence-based recommendations

About the Perceived Stress Scale

The PSS-10 is the most widely used psychological instrument for measuring perceived stress. Developed by Cohen, Kamarck, and Mermelstein in 1983, it has been validated in hundreds of research studies across diverse populations. This assessment measures how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded you find your life, providing valuable insights into your stress levels and helping guide appropriate interventions.

Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)

🔬Scientifically Validated Assessment

This is the official Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) developed by Cohen, Kamarck, and Mermelstein in 1983. It's one of the most widely used psychological instruments for measuring perceived stress and has been validated in hundreds of research studies.

Instructions: For each question, choose how often you felt or thought a certain way during the past month. There are no right or wrong answers - please be honest and answer based on your actual experience.

1.In the last month, how often have you been upset because of something that happened unexpectedly?

2.In the last month, how often have you felt that you were unable to control the important things in your life?

3.In the last month, how often have you felt nervous and "stressed"?

4.In the last month, how often have you felt confident about your ability to handle your personal problems?

5.In the last month, how often have you felt that things were going your way?

6.In the last month, how often have you found that you could not cope with all the things that you had to do?

7.In the last month, how often have you been able to control irritations in your life?

8.In the last month, how often have you felt that you were on top of things?

9.In the last month, how often have you been angered because of things that were outside of your control?

10.In the last month, how often have you felt difficulties were piling up so high that you could not overcome them?

References

  1. 1.

    Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. *Journal of Health and Social Behavior*, 24(4), 385-396

    DOI: 10.2307/2136404
  2. 2.

    Lee, E. H. (2012). Review of the psychometric evidence of the Perceived Stress Scale. *Asian Nursing Research*, 6(4), 121-127

    DOI: 10.1016/j.anr.2012.08.004
  3. 3.

    Cohen, S., Janicki-Deverts, D., & Miller, G. E. (2007). Psychological stress and disease. *JAMA*, 298(14), 1685-1687

    DOI: 10.1001/jama.298.14.1685

Frequently Asked Questions

The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is a scientifically validated psychological instrument developed by Cohen, Kamarck, and Mermelstein in 1983. It measures the degree to which situations in your life are perceived as stressful. The PSS-10 has excellent reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.78-0.91) and has been validated across diverse populations in over 1,000 research studies.

PSS-10 scores range from 0-40. Research shows: 0-13 indicates low perceived stress (well-managed), 14-26 suggests moderate stress (may benefit from stress management), and 27-40 indicates high stress (professional support recommended). Your score reflects how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded you perceive your life to be.

High PSS-10 scores (27+) are associated with increased risk for anxiety, depression, and physical health problems. We recommend seeking professional mental health support, consulting with your healthcare provider, and implementing evidence-based stress reduction techniques like mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), which shows clinically significant improvements in PSS-10 scores.

Yes, extensive research shows that chronic perceived stress impacts physical health. High PSS-10 scores are linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, weakened immune function, and various chronic conditions. This is why the PSS-10 is used in medical settings to assess stress-related health risks and guide treatment decisions.

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Medical Disclaimer: This tool provides educational estimates based on established formulas and is not intended as medical advice. Individual results may vary. For personalized guidance, consult with healthcare professionals through our platform.