Perceived Stress Assessment: Factor Structure and Item Analysis of the PSS-10

Abstract

Stress has proved to be an important research topic in recent decades, given its influence on physical and mental health. As a way of evaluating this construct, the 10-Item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) has been the most used measure. The present study was conducted considering the questions that are still present concerning the factorial structure of the instrument and the scarcity of studies focused on item analysis with the Brazilian population. Based on the results of 4.970 Brazilians of both sexes, with an average age of 31.3 years (SD = 11.89), from the five regions of Brazil, the confirmatory factor analysis indicated good fit of the one-dimensional model. Subsequently, the item response theory indicated adequate residuals (infit and outfit) for all items and satisfactory item-theta correlation values. The scale precision was α = .89. Four items showed differential functioning for the gender variable, three in favor of men. The analysis made it possible to identify the thoughts and feelings that most differentiate individuals with a high level of perceived stress, adding evidence of validity to the instrument for use in the Brazilian population.