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Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)

The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is the most widely used psychological instrument for measuring the perception of stress. It assesses how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded you find your life.

This is a screening tool, not a clinical diagnosis. Chronic high stress can impact physical and mental health — consider professional support if your score is elevated.

Source: Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstein R. A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior. 1983;24(4):385–396. (10-item version: Cohen S, Williamson G, 1988.)

For each question, indicate how often you felt or thought a certain way during the last month.

1.Been upset because of something that happened unexpectedly
2.Felt that you were unable to control the important things in your life
3.Felt nervous and stressed
4.Felt confident about your ability to handle personal problems (reverse scored)
5.Felt that things were going your way (reverse scored)
6.Found that you could not cope with all the things you had to do
7.Been able to control irritations in your life (reverse scored)
8.Felt that you were on top of things (reverse scored)
9.Been angered because of things outside of your control
10.Felt difficulties were piling up so high that you could not overcome them

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