The Perceived Stress Scale

(Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of health and social behavior, 385-396.)

 

If you are participating in a studies, you should have been emailed an anonymous ID number. (i.e., something like: c001).

When you click on the 'Submit' button at the end of each questionnaire, this will give you your scores and a brief explanation. You only have to enter your email address if you want the results emailed to you!

 

Instructions:

The questions in this scale ask you about your feelings and thoughts during THE LAST MONTH.   In each case, you will be asked to indicate your response by selecting the circle to the left of the word representing HOW OFTEN you felt or thought a certain way.

Although some of the questions are similar, there are differences between them and you should treat each one as a separate question. The best approach is to answer fairly quickly. That is, don’t try to count up the number of times you felt a particular way, but rather indicate the alternative that seems like a reasonable estimate.

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 found that you could not cope with all the things that you had to do?

5. 
In the last month, how often have you been angered because of things that happened that were outside of your control?

6. 
In the last month, how often have you felt difficulties were piling up so high that you could not overcome them?

7. 
In the last month, how often have you felt confident about your ability to handle your personal problems?

8. 
In the last month, how often have you felt that things were going your way?

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?