Verification of psychometric properties of the Slovak version of the PSS-10 questionnaire (Perceived Stress Scale) on the sample of helping professionals

Objectives. To examine the psychometric properties of the Slovak version of the 10-item Scale of Perceived Stress (PSS-10, Cohen, Kamarack a Mermelstein, 1983), which is currently one of the most commonly used tools for measuring psychological stress (Lee, 2012). Sample and Setting. 482 employees (47 men, 435 women) of social institutions throughout Slovakia (mean age M = 44.76, SD = 10.25). The respondent completed the Slovak translation of the original English version of the PSS-10 scale, which was created by back-translation. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), verified questionnaire factor structure (CFA), and constructive (convergent and discriminatory) validity were examined. Statistical analysis. The SPSS 21.0 was used for quantitative data processing, and the Programme R was performed using for CFA. Results. The internal consistency coefficient reached following values: 0.83 (factor 1), 0.77 (factor 2) and 0.87 (for the whole range). The results of CFA confirmed the 2-factor structure of the Slovak version of the scale (RMSEA = 0.062, CFI = 0.94, NFI = 0.917). Due to the high correlation between the two PSS-10 factors, along with the insufficient level of reliability factor 2 and the risk that the negative formulation of the items contributed to the constitution of a standalone factor, the authors tend to use the overall score. Expected evidence for validity, positive correlations between perceived stress and burnout dimensions (Exhaustion, Depersonalization) and Secondary traumatic stress have been observed. On the contrary, significant negative correlations have been demonstrated in the case of Compassion satisfaction and Personal accomplishment. Conclusion. The Perceived Stress Scale PSS-10 has reached satisfactory values of reliability and validity that support its use for the population of helping professionals in the Slovak circumstance. Study limitation. There are certain limits of the research, one of which is the self-reported character of the verified scale and the other one is the fact that the test-retest reliability and the effect of age, length of practice and type of profession has not been studied.