Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) Test
How the Scales are Structured
Who Usually Takes This Test?
See How You Compare
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Example Questions From the Test
- Never
- Almost never
- Sometimes
- Fairly often
- Very often
- Never
- Almost never
- Sometimes
- Fairly often
- Very often
- Never
- Almost never
- Sometimes
- Fairly often
- Very often
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) Test - Symptoms and Signs
This self-report measure assesses the degree to which individuals appraise situations in their lives as stressful over the past month. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is intended to capture subjective stress experiences rather than objective life events, including perceptions of unpredictability, overload, and controllability.
It consists of 10 items and typically takes about 2 minutes to complete. Items are rated on a frequency-based response scale, and scores are used to summarize perceived stress severity for screening, monitoring change over time, or research applications. The instrument was developed by Tom Kamarck and Robin Mermelstein.
The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is commonly used as an index of perceived stress burden and should be interpreted in the context of the respondent’s clinical presentation and relevant situational factors.