The Perceived Stress Scale for Children (PSS-C): Adaptation and Psychometric Indicators

Abstract

The article presents the results of adapting and testing of the “Perceived Stress Scale for Children” (PSS-C) on a Russian-speaking sample of adolescents aged 11 to 16 (n = 612). The study sample consisted of students from grades 5 to 8 in secondary schools in various regions of the Russian Federation (Trans-Baikal Territory, Altai Territory, Moscow Region, Leningrad Region). The results of psychometric testing indicate that the questionnaire has good internal consistency with correlations between the final score and stand alone questions being rs = [0.4; 0.64], p < 0.01; the half-form reliability rt = 0.78; the Cronbach's α = 0.741. A direct relationship between the perceived stress level and situational anxiety was shown (rs = 0.67, p < 0.01), which persisted when taking into account the age, gender, and region of residence of the respondents. These findings suggest that PSS-C has convergent validity. Factor analysis of the questionnaire revealed the presence of two factors in the perceived stress structure: 1) “Tension” and 2) “Resources”. The two-factor model of perceived stress was confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis (RMSEA = 0.058, 90% CI [0.045, 0.072], CFI = 0.952, GFI = 0.977). The discriminativeness of the questionnaire was δ = 0.97. Gender differences in the level of perceived stress are shown; age differences are due to an increase in study load. The “Perceived Stress Scale for Children” questionnaire is a valid and reliable technique for diagnosing stress in adolescents aged 11 to 16. It can be used both in individual assessments and group diagnostics for monitoring of stress levels in adolescence.