Overview
The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is a widely used 10-item self-report measure developed by Cohen, Kamarck, and Mermelstein (1983). It assesses how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded life has felt over the past month.
Scoring
Each item uses a 5-point frequency scale (0–4). Items 4, 5, 7, and 8 are reverse-scored; the total ranges from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress. This is a screening measure, not a diagnostic test.
Commonly used reference bands (not official clinical cut-offs): low 0–13, moderate 14–26, high 27–40.
References
Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24(4), 385–396.
Frequently asked questions
What is the PSS-10?
The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is a 10-item questionnaire developed by Cohen, Kamarck, and Mermelstein (1983) that measures how stressful life has felt over the past month.
How is the PSS-10 scored?
Each item is rated 0–4 (never to very often). Items 4, 5, 7, and 8 are reverse-scored; the total ranges from 0 to 40. Higher scores mean greater perceived stress.
What do PSS-10 scores mean?
The PSS is not diagnostic. Commonly used reference bands are low (0–13), moderate (14–26), and high (27–40). Your LuriaLab report shows your total and interpretation.
PSS-10 vs DASS-21 stress subscale?
Both relate to stress, but the PSS measures global perceived stress over the past month, while DASS-21 stress items focus on tension and difficulty relaxing over the past week.
References
Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24(4), 385–396.
Cohen, S., & Williamson, G. (1988). Perceived stress in a probability sample of the United States. In S. Spacapan & S. Oskamp (Eds.), The social psychology of health. Sage.