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Categories: Assessment , Health & Fitness , Psychology
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Perceived stress reflects how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded you judge daily events. The 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is a widely studied questionnaire that captures this subjective tension in a single numeric score. Because it focuses on feelings during the last month, it complements physiological indicators by spotlighting your own appraisal of demand versus coping resources.

This tool digitises the PSS-10 so you can answer the questions, watch the progress bar fill, and receive an instant result. A lightweight reactive engine scores every response in real time, applies reverse coding where required, and summarises the outcome with a colour-coded gauge chart. Nothing leaves your browser, ensuring privacy while providing a clear visual summary.

Use it to check whether recent pressures are accumulating beyond your comfort zone, to start a conversation with a professional, or simply to track how sleep, diet, workload, and social support adjustments influence perceived tension over time in daily routines; if your score worries you, seek qualified advice without delay.

Results do not constitute a medical diagnosis.

Technical Details:

Each answer is coded from 0 to 4, with higher numbers reflecting greater stress frequency. Four positively worded items are reverse-coded before totalling the ten scores.

The scale transforms qualitative choices into quantitative scores, enabling statistical comparison across respondents and time points. By summing coded answers, it yields a single metric suitable for research or personal tracking without complex interpretation.

  • Low band: 0 – 13
  • Moderate band: 14 – 26
  • High band: 27 – 40
  • Reverse-coded items: 4, 5, 7, 8
  • Real-time scoring in your browser
ResponseScore
Never0
Almost never1
Sometimes2
Fairly often3
Very often4

All calculations run locally; no responses are transmitted or stored server-side.

Calculations & Scoring:

The card below illustrates how the total PSS-10 score is computed and classified.

Sample calculation using typical responses.

S4=2
S4=4−2=2

Subtract each positively worded answer from 4 to align direction.

T=S1+…+S10
T=23

Add the adjusted values to obtain a 0 – 40 total.

0≤T≤13
23→Moderate

Compare the total to threshold bands to label stress severity.

A calculated total of 23 places the respondent in the Moderate stress band.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Follow these steps to complete the questionnaire and view your results.

  1. Click the Start Assessment button to begin.
  2. For each statement, select an option from Never to Very often.
  3. Watch the progress bar advance until it reaches 100 %.
  4. Use the question list to revisit and edit any answer.
  5. When all items are answered, read your score and severity gauge.
  6. Save or print the summary if you plan to discuss it with a professional.

FAQ:

Common questions about the PSS-10 and this online implementation.

Is my data stored?

No. All answers remain in your browser and disappear when you close the tab.

What is the PSS-10?

A 10-item questionnaire that measures how stressed you feel about events during the past month.

How is the score calculated?

Each answer is coded 0–4, four items are reverse-scored, and the values are summed to a 0–40 total.

How often should I retake it?

Monthly retesting is typical; more frequent use can track short-term lifestyle changes.

What if I get a high score?

Consider evidence-based stress-reduction techniques and consult a qualified professional if distress persists.

Troubleshooting:

Try these fixes if something does not work as expected.

Issue: The page looks blank.
Resolution: Disable aggressive content blockers and reload.

Issue: Gauge chart does not appear.
Resolution: Resize the window or check browser console for errors.

Issue: Progress stops at 90 %.
Resolution: Scroll through the question list to locate unanswered items.

Issue: Unable to print results.
Resolution: Use the browser’s print dialog or take a screenshot.

Advanced Tips:

Make the most of your stress-tracking routine.

  • Log scores regularly to visualise trends over time.
  • Combine results with sleep or activity trackers for deeper insight.
  • Note contextual factors (e.g. deadlines) alongside each score.
  • Share summaries securely; avoid emailing raw responses.
  • Review coping strategies whenever your band shifts upward.

Glossary:

Key terms used throughout the assessment.

Perceived Stress
Subjective feeling of tension caused by life events.
Reverse Coding
Scoring method that flips positive-worded items.
Severity Band
Category describing overall stress level.
Likert Scale
Ordered response format ranging from “Never” to “Very often”.
Gauge Chart
Semi-circular dial displaying numeric results visually.
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