The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS): Normative Data and Factor Structure for a Large-Scale Sample in Mexico

Abstract

One of the most widely used scales for the evaluation of stress is the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and it has been adapted into different languages. However, few studies have presented normative data from large samples, and there do not appear to be any studies of the PSS that provide normative data based on large samples for Mexico. Thus, the goal of this study was to provide normative data regarding gender and different age groups for a sample of 1990 Mexican subjects to validate the factor structure of the construct for this sample. The analysis of the 10- and 14-item versions of the PSS revealed that the scale had adequate reliability and that the factor structure was consistent with previous studies. With respect to the normative data, the means of the different groups ranged from 20.93 to 25.63 for the PSS14 and from 14.52 to 17.73 for the PSS10. We propose that scores within one standard deviation of these means be used as reference values for each group.

Investigating First Year Education Students’ Stress Level

“…One, it was found that education students' stress levels were much higher than the general population reported in the normative data in the research of González-Ramírez et al (2013). This is consistent with the statement of Stallman (2010) that university students' stress levels were much higher than those of the general population (Stallman, 2010).…”

Factor structure of the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS) across English and Spanish language responders in the HCHS/SOL Sociocultural Ancillary Study.

“…Some researchers have posited that the negative-worded factor measures perceived helplessness or negative stress, and that the positive-worded factor measures perceived self-efficacy or positive stress (Reis, Hino, & Anez, 2010; Roberti, Harrington, & Storch, 2006). Despite robust empirical support for a two-dimensional structure, the factor distinction has been regarded as superficial and not meaningful (Carretero-Dios & Pérez, 2007; Cohen, 1988; González-Ramírez, Rodríguez-Ayán, & Hernández, 2013; Lee, 2012; Ramírez & Hernández, 2007), and a single summed PSS score is most often used in research and clinical contexts. Overall, there is little research on the validity or reliability for each of the two factors.…”

“…The populations that have been sampled for psychometric studies on the PSS have been university students and working populations (Lee, 2012). Some studies have examined the reliability and validity of the Spanish translated PSS, however samples have been specific to Mexico (González-Ramírez et al, 2013; Ramírez & Hernández, 2007) and Spain (Remor, 2006). Cronbach's alpha values for the PSS have ranged from .78 to .91 for English and Spanish versions (Lee, 2012; Remor, 2006).…”

“…The aims of the present study were to: (1) examine the factor structure of the PSS by comparing one-factor, two-factor, and bi-factor models in the full sample and language groups; (2) test for configural, metric, scalar, and residual invariance in language groups; (3) examine the internal consistency of all PSS items in the full sample and in the English and Spanish language groups; (4) establish the convergent validity of the PSS with measures of depressive symptoms, trait anxiety, and trait anger. We hypothesized that a bi-factor structure would indicate better model fit relative to one- and two-factor models because of the underlying unidimensionality of the PSS (Carretero-Dios & Pérez, 2007; Cohen, 1988; González-Ramírez, Rodríguez-Ayán, & Hernández, 2013; Lee, 2012; Ramírez & Hernández, 2007). Although reliability and convergent validity have not been tested with a representative sample of Hispanics/Latinos in the US, we expected acceptable reliability and convergent validity given that they have been demonstrated with select Hispanic/Latino samples in the past (Lee, 2012, Remor, 2006).…”

An Epidemiological Study of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Myocardial Infarction: A Prospective Study

“…The validity of the three parts of the questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of experts, including three cardiologists, one interventionist, ten head nurses, and twenty nurses working at the coronary and post coronary units. The perceived stress questionnaire was designed by Kohn and Kamark (34). The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is the most widely used psychological instrument for measuring the perception of stress, which is a measure of the degree to which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful.…”