PSS-10: Perceived Stress Scale – Overview & Interpretation
The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is a widely used psychological tool that measures how stressful individuals appraise their lives to be over the past month. Unlike stress tests tracking specific events, the PSS-10 focuses on subjective perception—how overwhelmed or in control you feel.
Key Features of the PSS-10
- 10 questions rated on a 5-point scale (0 = Never, 4 = Very Often).
- Assesses two dimensions:
- Negative stress (feeling unable to cope).
- Positive coping (perceived control over life).
- No clinical cutoff, but higher scores = greater perceived stress.
Sample Questions (How often in the last month did you…?)
- Feel upset because of something unexpected?
- Feel unable to control important things in your life?
- Feel confident about handling personal problems? (Reverse-scored)
- Feel that things were going your way? (Reverse-scored)
(Reverse-scored items indicate lower stress when answered “Often”).
Scoring & Interpretation
- Add scores for all 10 items (after reverse-scoring #4, #5, #7, & #8).
- Range: 0–40 (higher = more stress).
- 0–13: Low stress
- 14–26: Moderate stress
- 27–40: High stress
Example: If you scored 22, you’re in the moderate range—likely handling stress but occasionally overwhelmed.
Why Use the PSS-10?
- Research-backed: Validated across cultures and populations.
- Quick screening: Identifies chronic stress (linked to anxiety, heart disease, etc.).
- Tracks progress: Useful pre/post stress-management interventions (e.g., therapy, mindfulness).
Limitations
- Subjective: Reflects perception, not objective stressors.
- Time-bound: Only captures the past month.
- Not diagnostic: Doesn’t replace clinical evaluation for anxiety/depression.
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)
Over the last month, how often have you felt the following:
1. Upset because of something that happened unexpectedly?
2. Unable to control the important things in your life?
3. Nervous and “stressed”?
4. Confident about your ability to handle your personal problems?
5. Felt that things were going your way?
6. Found you could not cope with all the things you had to do?
7. Able to control irritations in your life?
8. Felt that you were on top of things?
9. Angered because of things that were outside of your control?
10. Difficulties were piling up so high that you could not overcome them?