Contribution to the construct validity of the Perceived Stress Questionnaire from a population-based survey

Objective: Detailed evidence for the construct validity of stress questionnaires has been repeatedly demanded. This study aimed to investigate the construct validity of the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) in the context of a transactional view of stress. Methods: The examination was based on the PSQ and on standardized quality of life and personality questionnaires. The analyses focused on structural equation modeling. A total of 2552 subjects from a population-based survey were studied. Results: A transactional model fitted the data. Personality aspects and resources contribute to the total perceived stress. Yet the physical aspects of quality of life receive a comparatively low weighting. The prevalence of perceived stress at a moderate level was estimated to be 14.5%, lowest in the age group >75 years and highest in the 35- to 54-year age group. The prevalence of high stress was 3.1 %. The total PSQ-30 score of the general population was 0.30 (S.D.=0.15), slightly higher in women than in men. Conclusion: We consider the PSQ as a valid instrument for recording subjective perceived stress in the context of a transactional view of stress. The present broad and international database suggests that it needs further investigation in terms of transcultural studies. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.