New, normative, English-sample data for the Short Form Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4)

Warttig, Sheryl L; Forshaw, Mark J; South, Jane; White, Alan K

doi:10.1177/1359105313508346

Cited by 611Psychometric Methodologies and TestingHealth and Well-being StudiesAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

New, normative, English-sample data for the Short Form Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4)

Warttig, Sheryl L, Forshaw, Mark J, South, Jane, White, Alan K·2013·Journal of Health Psychology

DOI 10.1177/1359105313508346

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Abstract

This article provides population norms for the Short Form Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) and investigates the relationship between PSS-4 scores and sociodemographic variables. The PSS-4 was administered to an English sample ( n = 1568) and was found to have acceptable psychometric properties. Sociodemographic variables explained 19.5% of variance in PSS-4 scores, and mean PSS-4 scores were significantly different from the mean scores reported in Cohen and Williamson’s original study. Greater levels of perceived health status, greater levels of social support, being male and being older were predictive of lower PSS-4 scores. Norm values for interpreting PSS-4 scores are presented.

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UK social workers experienced much higher rates of stress than a general English population.
“In a large-scale study, Ravalier et al. (2021) (n = 3,421) found that social workers in the United Kingdom (UK) experienced much higher rates of stress than a general English population (Warttig et al., 2013), with 60% of their sample highlighting that they planned to leave their current position.”
From Testing Mindfulness Mechanisms of Action on the Stress and Burnout of Social Workers (2024) · cites this paper as Warttig et al., 2013
The PSS-4 has acceptable and reliable psychometric properties across cultures (α = 0.77).
“The psychometric properties of the PSS-4 have been found to be acceptable and reliable across cultures, with α = 0.77 [72].”
From StudiCare mindfulness-study protocol of a randomized controlled trial evaluating an internet- and mobile-based intervention for college students with no and "on demand" guidance. (2020) · cites this paper as [72]

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Authors: Warttig, S. L., Forshaw, M. J., South, J., & White, A. K.
Affiliations: University of Staffordshire (GB)
Leeds Beckett University (GB)
ORCID: Forshaw, Mark J
South, Jane
White, Alan K
Venue: Journal of Health Psychology
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2013-10-22
Volume: 18
Issue: 12
Pages: 1617-1628
ISSN: 1359-1053 (ISSN-L)
1461-7277
DOI: 10.1177/1359105313508346
OpenAlex: W2076303935
Cited by: 611
References: 44
Citations by year: 2026: 51 · 2025: 70 · 2024: 78 · 2023: 94 · 2022: 74 · 2021: 80 · 2020: 54 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 4
FWCI: 12.73
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations: Journal of Health Psychology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Edge Hill University Research Information Repository (Edge Hill University) (submittedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Health and Well-being Studies
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords: Perceived Stress Scale, perceived stress, population norms, English-speaking adults, sociodemographic predictors, health perception, social support, psychometric properties, gender differences, age differences
MeSH terms: Adolescent, Adult, Aged, England, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychometrics, Mental Recall, Regression Analysis, Social Support, Stress, Psychological, Young Adult, Self Report

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New, normative, English-sample data for the Short Form Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4)

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