Psychometric Analysis of the Perceived Stress Scale Among Healthy University Students
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: There is a gradual increase in the prevalence of stress during professional courses. Previous studies reported a high incidence of stress among university students. The psychometric properties of the perceived stress scale-10 (PSS-10) have been established in different populations. The current study aimed to assess psychometric properties of the PSS-10 in Saudi university students. METHODS: Healthy university students (n= 192) participated in this cross-sectional study. All the participants were explained about the aim and procedures of the study. Participants were requested to complete the English version of the PSS, the generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7), the sleep hygiene index (SHI), and demographic details. RESULTS: The range of the PSS-10 total score was 0-35; 1% reported minimum score of 0, but none reported maximum score of 40. Therefore, there was no issue of ceiling or floor effect in the PSS-10 total score. Positive and significant correlations of the PSS total and the PSS Factor-1 (distress perception) with the GAD-7 total score, SHI item-8 and SHI item-13 score support its convergent validity. Negative or no correlation of the PSS Factor-2 score (coping perception) with the GAD-7 total score, SHI item-8 and SHI item-13 scores demonstrate its divergent validity. The internal homogeneity test indicated moderate to strong positive correlations (r=0.60-0.82) between the PSS Factors and the items loading on them. The internal consistency test showed a good agreement for the PSS Factor-1 and the PSS Factor-2 scores (Cronbach's alpha 0.78 and 0.71, respectively), suggesting an acceptable level of consistency. Factor analysis favored a 2-Factor model of the PSS in the Saudi students. CONCLUSION: The current study supported the use of the PSS-10 to assess the perceived stress among Saudi university students.
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The baseline levels of stress and anxiety among our participants were significantly higher than those found in the same population of university students by previous research and in the general population.
“The baseline levels of stress and anxiety among our participants were significantly higher than those found in the same population of university students by previous research [42-44], as well as in the general population [45].”
Previous studies analyzing the mental health of university students found lower levels of anxiety and stress symptoms, evaluated through the GAD-7 and the PSS-10 questionnaires, compared to our sample of university students.
“Previous studies analyzing the mental health of university students found lower levels of anxiety and stress symptoms, evaluated through the GAD-7 and the PSS-10 questionnaires, compared to those of our sample of university students [42-44].”
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“Previous studies analyzing the mental health of university students found lower levels of anxiety and stress symptoms, evaluated through the GAD-7 and the PSS-10 questionnaires, compared to those of our sample of university students [42-44].”
ResultShajari, S., Salahandish, R., Zare, A., Hassani, M., Moossavi, S., Munro, E., Rashid, R., Rosenegger, D., Bains, J. S., & Sanati Nezhad, A. (2023) · Advanced Science · doi:10.1002/advs.202204171 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
- Authors
- Anwer, S., Manzar, M. D., Alghadir, A. H., Salahuddin, M., & Abdul Hameed, U.
- Affiliations
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK)
- Majmaah University (SA)
- King Saud University (SA)
- Corresponding author
- Anwer, Shahnawaz
- Venue
- Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2020-10
- Volume
- Volume 16
- Pages
- 2389-2396
- ISSN
- 1176-6328 (ISSN-L)
- 1178-2021
- PMC
- PMC7585521
- OpenAlex
- W3093214314
- Cited by
- 92
- References
- 52
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 3 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 14.72
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Dove Medical Press (Taylor and Francis Group) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PolyU Institutional Research Archive (Hong Kong Polytechnic University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- Funders
- King Saud University
- Majmaah University
- Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Student Stress and Coping
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- Perceived Stress Scale-10, perceived stress, university students, psychometric properties, convergent validity, discriminant validity, internal consistency, factor structure, sleep hygiene, generalized anxiety disorder, Saudi students
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