Validation of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) in the population of registered dentists of Monterrey

Abstract

The aims of this paper were to explore and contrast the 2-factor model proposed for the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), to calculate the internal consistency of its 14 items and 2 factors, and to estimate the level of perceived stress in the population of 350 members of Nuevo Leon College of Dentists. Questions about socio-demographic information and professional practice and the PSS-14 were applied to a probability sample of 140 participants. The number of factors was two following Horn's criterion. The 2-factor model (positively and negatively keyed items), with item 12 shared by both factors, showed a close fit to the data. The internal consistency of the 14 items was high (α = .79). The distribution of the PSS-14 total score was positively skewed. It is concluded that the PSS-14 is valid in this population, and the average of perceived stress is low.