Development and validation of a Chinese version of the Eustress-Distress Psychological Response Scale

A measure with satisfactory psychometric properties to address if stress is eustress or distress remains undeveloped in the cultural context of China. Thus, we revised and validated a Chinese version of the Eustress-Distress Psychological Response Scale (CEDPRS), examining the structure and indicators of eustress and distress with 1,079 undergraduate students in China. We found that the CEDPRS is best explained using a 2-factor second-order model comprising psychological responses to eustress and distress. Indicators of psychological responses to eustress included hope, meaningfulness, positive affect, and sense of control; responses to distress included anxiety, negative affect, meaninglessness, loss of control, and anger/hostility. We found that the CEDPRS is a valid and reliable measure in the Chinese context, thus providing empirical support for its use in assessing Chinese people's eustress and distress simultaneously from the individual's psychological response to the same stressor.