The PSS-C is helpful for the early identification of children at risk of anxiety/stress. Identifying stress in children is crucial because it can lead to poorer school outcomes, reduced functional performance at home and problems with overall health, mental health and body weight. An effective and efficient assessment like the PSS-C assists in developing appropriate interventions to help these children. The survey contains sub-scales or domains, which are the Overall Score, Stressors and Non-Buffers.
Questionnaire / Scales
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Barbara Prudhomme White
The Perceived Stress Scale - Children (PSS-C) is particularly valuable for schools due to its capacity to provide an efficient and effective assessment of stress levels in students. The survey generates individual scores that offer insights into each student's perceived stress, aiding in the early identification of stress-related challenges. This early identification is crucial for implementing timely and appropriate interventions, as stress has been linked to poorer academic outcomes, reduced functional performance at home, and potential long-term health issues. The ability to produce immediate analyses and compare data over time allows schools to monitor progress and assess the impact of interventions. The breakdown into sub-domains, namely Stressors and Non-Buffers, offers a nuanced understanding of the factors contributing to stress, allowing for targeted support strategies. As chronic stress becomes increasingly linked to adverse outcomes in academic success and overall wellbeing, the PSS-C serves as a useful tool for schools to proactively address and manage stress, contributing to a healthier and more supportive learning environment.
The survey assesses Stressors and Non-Buffers as two key sub-domains. Higher scores in the Stressors domain indicate a greater experience of perceived stress, while higher scores in the Non-Buffers domain suggest a deficiency in protective factors and stress mediators in a child's life. The survey provides a nuanced understanding of the factors contributing to a child's stress levels.
The PSS-C generates a score for each individual pupil ranging from 0 to 39, with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived stress. These scores offer insight into a pupil's perceived stress levels, serving as a valuable tool for the early identification of stress in children. The survey allows for an immediate analysis of scores and enables the comparison of current data with previous survey results, providing a means to evidence progress and monitor the impact of interventions over time.
1.1. In the last week, how often did you feel rushed or hurried?
2.1. In the last week, how often did you have enough time to do what you wanted?
3.1. In the last week, how often did you feel worried about being too busy?
4.1. In the last week, how often did you feel worried about your grades or school?
5.1. In the last week, how often did your parent(s)/carer(s) make you feel better?
6.1. In the last week, how often did your parent(s)/carer(s) make you feel loved?
7.1. In the last week, how often did you feel nervous?
8.1. In the last week, how often did you feel angry?
9.1. In the last week, how often did you feel happy?
10.1. In the last week, how often did you get enough sleep?
11.1. In the last week, how often did you have fights with friends?
12.1. In the last week, how often did you play with friends?
13.1. In the last week, how often did you feel that you have enough friends?
The Perceived Stress Scale - Children (PSS-C) generates a score for each individual pupil, ranging from 0 to 39. Higher scores indicate higher levels of perceived stress. The scoring is based on the individual's responses to the survey questions, with the intention of assessing their perceived stress levels. The scores do not correspond to any specific diagnosis or prescribe particular interventions; rather, they serve as a tool to gauge pupils' subjective experience of stress. Additionally, the survey provides a further breakdown into two sub-domains: Stressors and Non-Buffers. The Stressors domain reflects factors leading to the body's stress response, while the Non-Buffers domain highlights protective factors and stress mediators that may be insufficient in a child's life. A higher score in either domain indicates a higher experience of perceived stress or a deficiency in protective factors, respectively. Overall, the survey is a valuable instrument for understanding and quantifying perceived stress levels in children, aiding in the early identification and management of stress-related challenges.
