Development of the College Student Acute Stress Scale (CSASS)

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop and validate the College Student Acute Stress Scale, a measure of acute stress specific to college students. Design and methods: A total sample of 440 young adults from a university in the northeast United States were surveyed across three separate research studies. Exploratory principal component analysis, internal consistency reliability, convergent and divergent validity, and test–retest reliability analyses were performed. Findings: Evidence of convergent and divergent validity were obtained, and adequate internal consistency and test–retest reliability were identified. Practice implications: This study provides evidence for the validity and reliability of a self-report measure of college students' acute stress experiences.