Revised Subjective Stress Scale

PsycTESTS Citation:
Berkun, M. M., Bialek, H. M., Kern, R. P., & Yagi, K. (1962). Revised Subjective Stress Scale [Database record].
Retrieved from PsycTESTS. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/t06931-000

Instrument Type:
Rating Scale

Test Format:
The Revised Subjective Stress Scale is in a checklist format.

Source:
Berkun, Mitchell M., Bialek, Hilton M., Kern, Richard P., & Yagi, Kan. (1962). Experimental studies of psychological
stress in man. Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, Vol 76(15), 1-39. doi:
https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/h0093835

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doi: 10.1037/t06931-000

Revised Subjective Stress Scale

Items

The Subjective Stress Scale was first introduced by Kerle and Bialek in 1958. Subsequent experience indicates
that the phrases "Terrible" and "In Agony" (see Table 1) are sometimes spontaneously responded to in terms
of such physical distress as headache and insomnia. The other words in this instrument are used to describe
feeling with respect to whatever environmental event S is directed to respond to. Accordingly, the authors
recommend the substitution of the phrase "Panicky" taken from a little-used alternate form of the instrument,
for "Terrible" and the deletion of "In Agony" in the absence of an equivalent substitute. The revised version is
presented below.

Wonderful
Fine
Comfortable
Steady
Didn't bother me
Indifferent
Timid
Unsteady
Nervous
Worried
Unsafe
Frightened
Terrible
In agony
Scared stiff

Words are ordinarily presented to S in scrambled order, rather than as listed here. S is asked to check the
word best describing how he feels or how he felt under given circumstances. Repeated use has indicated no
need for alternate, equivalent forms or for having S project the putative feelings of others (Berkun et al.,
1958).

Wonderful
Fine
Comfortable
Steady
Didn't bother me
Indifferent
Timid
Unsteady
Nervous

PsycTESTS™ is a database of the American Psychological Association

doi: 10.1037/t06931-000

Revised Subjective Stress Scale

Items

Worried
Unsafe
Frightened
Panicky
Scared stiff

PsycTESTS™ is a database of the American Psychological Association