The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)

The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is the most widely used psychological instrumentfor measuring the perception of stress. It is a measure of the degree to whichsituations in one’s life are appraised as stressful. Items were designed to tap howunpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded respondents find their lives. Highlevels of stress are associated with poor self-reported health, elevated bloodpressure, depression, and susceptibility to infection.

Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983)

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Category Age Range

Perceived Stress Key Stage 4

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ValidatedSurvey

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The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)

Name :

Class :

Year :

Here are some statements or descriptions about how you might have been feeling or thinking aboutthings over the last week. Please put a tick underneath the answer which best describes your thoughts

or feelings. There are no right or wrong answers!

Statements Never Almost Never Sometimes Fairly often

...how often have you felt thatyou were unable to control theimportant things in your life?

...how often have you felt nervousand “stressed”?

...how often have you feltconfident about your ability tohandle your personal problems?

…how often have you felt thatthings were going your way?

…how often have you found thatyou could not cope with all thethings that you had to do?

… how often have you been ableto control irritations in your life?

…how often have you felt thatyou were on top of things?

…how often have you beenangered because of things thatwere outside of your control?

… how often have you feltdifficulties were piling up so highthat you could not overcome

them?

Thank you for completing this survey and for your honesty!

© Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983)

In the last month...

Very often

In the last month, how oftenhave you been upset becauseof something that happened

unexpectedly?