Perceived Stress Scale – 4

PSS-4Stress

4 items

A 4-item short form of the Perceived Stress Scale measuring the degree to which situations in life are appraised as stressful.

Scoring

Items 2 and 3 are reverse-scored. Sum all items (0–16). Higher scores = more perceived stress.

Citation

Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24(4), 385–396.

doi:10.2307/2136404

License: Free for research use.

Items (4)

#1likert

In the last month, how often have you felt that you were unable to control the important things in your life?

04 · "Never" → "Very often"

#2likertR

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

04 · "Never" → "Very often"

#3likertR

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

04 · "Never" → "Very often"

#4likert

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

04 · "Never" → "Very often"

Use this scale in your own ESM/EMA study — embed it as a survey within SMAAT.