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International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2222-6990

Validity and Reliability of the Malaysian Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) using Rasch Measurement Model

Zainab Tambol, Abu Yazid Abu Bakar, Mohd Izwan Mahmud

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v11-i8/10770

Open access

This study was conducted to produce empirical evidence of validity and reliability of the item using a survey questionnaire Perceived Stress Scale. The 14-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) is one of the most widely used psychological instruments for measuring stress perception in practice and research works, but has sparked some controversy regarding its factor structure. Furthermore, no study has been conducted to date using a sample of ‘houseman’ medical officers to test the reliability and validity of this instrument. The Rasch model analysis, aided by Winsteps software Version 3.69.1.11, was used to examine the functional items from the reliability and separation of item and respondent, polarity and items fit measuring constructs and standardized residual correlation value. The questionnaire was distributed to 42 ‘houseman’ officers who work in a hospital in Selangor, Malaysia. The findings of this study support the use of the PSS-14 as a reliable and valid instrument to assess perceived stress in a sample of ‘houseman’ medical officers in Malaysia.