Perceived Stress Scale - Assessment

Background

The questions in this scale pertain to your thoughts and feelings during the last month. Although some questions are similar, there are slight differences between them - please try to treat each as a separate question. Try to answer each question fairly quickly. In other words, try not to count the number of times you felt a particular way, but rather select the option that seems like a reasonable estimate.

Instructions: Circle one number per question.

  • Rating Scale:
  • 0-Never
  • 1-Almost Never
  • 2-Sometimes
  • 3-Fairly Often
  • 4-Very Often
1 In the last month, how often have you been upset because of something that happened unexpectedly? 0 1 2 3 4  
2 In the last month, how often have you felt that you were unable to control important things in your life? 0 1 2 3 4  
3 In the last month, how often have you felt nervous or stressed? 0 1 2 3 4  
4 In the last month, how often have you dealt unsuccessfully with hassles and irritating events? 0 1 2 3 4  
5 In the last month, how often have you felt that you were not effectively coping with important changes occurring in your life? 0 1 2 3 4  
6 In the last month, how often have you felt unsure about your ability to handle your personal problems? 0 1 2 3 4  
7 In the last month, how often have you felt that things were not going your way? 0 1 2 3 4  
8 In the last month, how often have you found that you could not cope with all the things you had to do? 0 1 2 3 4  
9 In the last month, how often have you been unable to control irritations in your life? 0 1 2 3 4  
10 In the last month, how often have you felt that you were struggling to stay on top of things? 0 1 2 3 4  
11 In the last month, how often have you been angered because of things that happened that were outside of your control? 0 1 2 3 4  
12 In the last month, how often have you found yourself thinking about things that you have to accomplish? 0 1 2 3 4  
13 In the last month, how often have you been unable to control the way you spend your time? 0 1 2 3 4  
14 In the last month, how often have you felt difficulties were piling up so high that you could not overcome them? 0 1 2 3 4  
  • 1. In the last month, how often have you been upset because of something that happened unexpectedly?
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  •  
  • 2. In the last month, how often have you felt that you were unable to control important things in your life?
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  •  
  • 3. In the last month, how often have you felt nervous or stressed?
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  •  
  • 4. In the last month, how often have you dealt unsuccessfully with hassles and irritating events?
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  •  
  • 5. In the last month, how often have you felt that you were not effectively coping with important changes occurring in your life?
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  •  
  • 6. In the last month, how often have you felt unsure about your ability to handle your personal problems?
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  •  
  • 7. In the last month, how often have you felt that things were not going your way?
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  •  
  • 8. In the last month, how often have you found that you could not cope with all the things you had to do?
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  •  
  • 9. In the last month, how often have you been unable to control irritations in your life?
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  •  
  • 10. In the last month, how often have you felt that you were struggling to stay on top of things?
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  •  
  • 11. In the last month, how often have you been angered because of things that happened that were outside of your control?
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  •  
  • 12. In the last month, how often have you found yourself thinking about things that you have to accomplish?
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  •  
  • 13. In the last month, how often have you been unable to control the way you spend your time?
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  •  
  • 14. In the last month, how often have you felt difficulties were piling up so high that you could not overcome them?
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  •  

Total Score:

Spielberger, C.D. (1989). State-Trait Anxiety Inventory: Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.
(This assessment is not designed to make a diagnosis or take the place of a professional diagnosis.)
NOTE: the information contained is designed as a self help document only
and is not to be used as a substitute for professional care.