CRITERION VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF PERCEIVED STRESS SCALE (PSS) IN A STUDENT POPULATION DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Italy, control measures were adopted, such as closure of schools, universities, workplaces, and subsequently lockdown, so everyone's life changed. This is associated with psychological disorders in general public and in particular on students. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate validity and reliability of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) in the assessment of perceived stress of Italian students after the lifestyle changes due to the outbreak of Covid-19. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study METHODS: A mailing list was used for the recruitment of students. Internal consistency was examined through Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient;Criterion validity was evaluated comparing PSS scores to SF-12 values, and Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC) was calculated. Correlation analyses were also used to investigate Cross-cultural validity. RESULTS: The PSS scale was administered to 400 medical and health professionals' students in July 2020. Alpha Coefficient's value was statistically significant, and correlation with the SF-12 health survey was good (p<0,01). A correlation was found between Perceived Stress and gender, BMI, and also between PSS scores and time spent sitting and exercising under pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The Italian version of PSS scale is a valid and reliable instrument to assess Perceived Stress among medical and health professionals' students. © 2021 Virtual Simulation Innovation Workshop, SIW 2021. All rights reserved.