Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)
View PDF - Perceived Stress Scale_Cohen.pdf
Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., Mermelstein, R. (1983). A Global Measure of Perceived Stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24(4): 385-396.
0= Never
1= Almost never
2= Sometimes
3= Fairly often
4= Very often
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 dealt successfully with irritating life hassles?
5. In the last month, how often have you felt that you were effectively coping with important changes that were occurring in your life?
6. In the last month, how often have you felt confident about your ability to handle your personal problems?
7. In the last month, how often have you felt that things were going your way?
8. In the last month, how often have you found that you could not cope with all the things that you had to do?
9. In the last month, how often have you been able to control irritations in your life?
10.In the last month, how often have you felt that you were on top of things?
11.In the last month, how often have you been angered because of things that were outside of your control?
12. In the last month, how often have you found yourself thinking about things that you have to accomplish?
13. In the last month, how often have you been able to control the way you spend your time?
14. In the last month, how often have you felt difficulties were piling up so high that you could not overcome them?
Coefficient alpha reliability .84, .85, and, .86 in three samples (two of college student and one of a more heterogenous community group)
Concurrent Validity, Predictive Validity
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Individuals may use this information for research or educational purposes only and may not use this information for commercial purposes. When using this instrument, please cite:
Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., Mermelstein, R. (1983). A Global Measure of Perceived Stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24(4): 385-396.
When presenting results using any survey information you obtained from the SABI, please acknowledge the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), an NIH funded program P30 AI50410.