Stress

Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension.
It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous.

Stress is normal, and your body reacts to a challenge or demand.

In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline. But when stress lasts long, it may harm your health.

Acute Stress

This is short-term stress that goes away quickly.

You feel it when you slam on the brakes, have a fight with your partner, or ski down a steep slope. It helps you manage dangerous situations.

It also occurs when you do something new or exciting.

All people have acute stress at one time or another.

Chronic Stress

This is stress that lasts for a more extended period.

You may have chronic stress if you have money problems, an unhappy marriage, or trouble at work.

Any stress that goes on for weeks or months is chronic.

You can become so used to chronic stress that you don't realize it is a problem.

If you don't find ways to manage stress, it may lead to health problems.

Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4)

The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is the most widely used psychological instrument for measuring the perception of stress.

It is a measure of the degree to which situations in one’s life are appraised as stressful.

Items were designed to tap how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded respondents find their lives.

The scale also includes several direct queries about current levels of experienced stress.

The questions in the PSS ask about feelings and thoughts during the last month. Respondents are asked how often they felt a certain way in each case.

Citation

Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24, 385-396.