08Published measure
Perceived Stress Scale
The questions in this scale ask you about your feelings and thoughts during the last month. In each case, indicate how often you felt or thought a certain way.
We neither save nor send your answers.Scientific Framework of the Instrument
Understand how this instrument is structured, its scoring rubrics, and the empirical research validating its methodology.
Evaluated Dimensions
Created by Sheldon Cohen, the PSS-10 is the most widely validated instrument for measuring the degree to which life situations are appraised as unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloading.
Perceived Helplessness: Feelings of lacking control, piling difficulties, and vulnerability to life pressures.
Perceived Self-Efficacy: Confidence in handling personal problems and steering affairs effectively.
Scoring Ranges (0 to 40)
Total score sums the 10 items (items 4, 5, 7, and 8 reverse-scored) on a 0 to 4 scale referencing the past month.
| Score | Level / Criteria | Psychometric Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0 - 13 | Low perceived stress | Strong sense of personal control and mastery over everyday situations. |
| 14 - 26 | Moderate perceived stress | Standard stress response to current life and work demands. |
| 27 - 40 | High perceived stress | Marked sense of unpredictability, helplessness, and cumulative overload. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the PSS-10 measure?
It measures the degree to which situations in your life over the past month were appraised as unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overwhelming.
How are the items scored?
Each item is rated from 0 to 4. Items 4, 5, 7, and 8 are reversed. Total score ranges from 0 to 40.
Is the PSS-10 a clinical diagnostic instrument?
No. It is a psychometric measure of subjective perceived stress, not a formal diagnostic tool for clinical disorders.
Is my assessment confidential?
Completely private. Computations happen entirely inside your local browser tab.
Scientific Evidence and Citations
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Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24(4), 385-396.
View publication (DOI)