Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)
How much stress have you felt in the past month?
The PSS-10 (Cohen, Kamarck & Mermelstein, 1983) is one of the most widely used psychological instruments for measuring the perception of stress. 10 items assess how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded respondents find their lives over the past month. Validated in dozens of countries. Chinese version shows good reliability (Cronbach α≈0.85). Takes about 3-5 minutes.
<p>The following questions ask about your feelings and thoughts during the past month. In each case, please indicate how often you felt or thought a certain way.</p><p class="note"><strong>Note:</strong> The PSS is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. If you are experiencing significant distress, please consult a mental health professional.</p>
Scoring Guide
PSS-10 reverse scoring: Items 4, 5, 7, 8 are reverse-scored (0→4, 1→3, 2→2, 3→1, 4→0). Total = sum of direct items + sum of reversed items. Range: 0-40.
Result Interpretation
After completing the 10 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:
- Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
- Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed instantly on screen. No account, email, or login required.