THE PERCEIVED STRAIN SCALE (PSS) .1. CONCEPTUAL-MODEL

The need exists for a tangible measure of the amount of strain being experienced under varying stressful demands. To meet this need, the Perceived Strain Scale (PSS) has been developed. This, the first of two papers introducing PSS, outlines the conceptual model upon which the scale is based. The PSS takes cognizance of task demands (external stressors) and the individual's perception of ability to cope with those demands (internal response). The ratings of the task demands (td) and perceived ability to cope (pac), acquired from the PSS chart, are applied to two simple equations which can be calculated in situ to provide an Evaluation of Task Demands (ETD) and an Evaluation of Perceived Strain (EPS); thus facilitating intra- and inter-individual comparisons.