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PSS-10: a stress self-check
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What happens to your answers
A short summary (the instrument, total score, result band and time) is kept only in this browser tab, so a guided check can carry on from one questionnaire to the next. Your individual answers are not kept, and closing the tab clears the summary.
The questions below ask about your feelings and thoughts during the last month. In each case, choose how often you felt or thought a certain way.
0 of 10 answered
| Question | Never | Almost never | Sometimes | Fairly often | Very often |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. In the last month, how often have you been upset because of something that happened unexpectedly? | |||||
| 2. In the last month, how often have you felt that you were unable to control the important things in your life? | |||||
| 3. In the last month, how often have you felt nervous and “stressed”? | |||||
| 4. In the last month, how often have you felt confident about your ability to handle your personal problems? | |||||
| 5. In the last month, how often have you felt that things were going your way? | |||||
| 6. In the last month, how often have you found that you could not cope with all the things that you had to do? | |||||
| 7. In the last month, how often have you been able to control irritations in your life? | |||||
| 8. In the last month, how often have you felt that you were on top of things? | |||||
| 9. In the last month, how often have you been angered because of things that were outside of your control? | |||||
| 10. In the last month, how often have you felt difficulties were piling up so high that you could not overcome them? |
1. In the last month, how often have you been upset because of something that happened unexpectedly?
2. In the last month, how often have you felt that you were unable to control the important things in your life?
3. In the last month, how often have you felt nervous and “stressed”?
4. In the last month, how often have you felt confident about your ability to handle your personal problems?
5. In the last month, how often have you felt that things were going your way?
6. In the last month, how often have you found that you could not cope with all the things that you had to do?
7. In the last month, how often have you been able to control irritations in your life?
8. In the last month, how often have you felt that you were on top of things?
9. In the last month, how often have you been angered because of things that were outside of your control?
10. In the last month, how often have you felt difficulties were piling up so high that you could not overcome them?
Please answer the highlighted question. Every item counts toward an accurate score.
Please don't carry this alone
Some of your answers suggest you may be having thoughts of self-harm, or things feel very heavy right now. Support is available right now: Lifeline 13 11 14 · Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 · 13YARN 13 92 76 · in an emergency call 000. You can also see our urgent help page, and if you'd like us to call you, share your details below.
That's a lot to be carrying
Your answers put you in the higher range for this check. That isn't a diagnosis, but it does suggest things have been hard, and it's worth talking to someone. A psychologist or your GP is a good place to start, and you can book with us or share your result below.
If things ever feel urgent: Lifeline 13 11 14 · Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 · in an emergency call 000.
A one-page, clinician-written summary, made to print or keep on your phone.
About this instrument: Cohen, Kamarck & Mermelstein (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. J Health Soc Behav. This self-check is provided for information only and does not replace professional assessment.
