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Dimensionality of stress experiences: Factorial structure of the Perceived Stress Questionnaire ( PSQ ) in a population‐based Swedish sample
Author(s) -
Rönnlund Michael,
Vestergren Peter,
Stenling Andreas,
Nilsson LarsGöran,
Bergdahl Maud,
Bergdahl Jan
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.743
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1467-9450
pISSN - 0036-5564
DOI - 10.1111/sjop.12214
Subject(s) - psychology , structural equation modeling , confirmatory factor analysis , goodness of fit , factorial , population , principal component analysis , sample (material) , statistics , clinical psychology , social psychology , mathematics , demography , mathematical analysis , chemistry , chromatography , sociology
We investigated the factorial structure of the Perceived Stress Questionnaire ( PSQ ‐recent; Levenstein, Prantera, Varvo et al ., 1993) in a large ( N = 1516; 35–95 years) population‐based Swedish sample (Nilsson, Adolfsson, Bäckman et al ., 2004; Nilsson, Bäckman, Erngrund et al ., 1997). Exploratory principal components analysis ( PCA ) was conducted on a first, randomly drawn subsample ( n = 506). Next, the model based on the PCA was tested in a second sample ( n = 505). Finally, a third sample ( n = 505) was used to cross‐validate the model. Five components were extracted in the PCA (eigenvalue > 1) and labeled “Demands,” “Worries/Tension,” “Lack of joy,” “Conflict,” and “Fatigue,” respectively. Twenty‐one out of the 30 original PSQ items were retained in a confirmatory factor analysis ( CFA ) model that included the five (first‐order) factors and, additionally, a general (second‐order) stress factor, not considered in prior models. The model showed reasonable goodness of fit [χ 2 (184) = 511.2, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.904; RMSEA = 0.059; and SRMR = 0.063]. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses supported the validity of the established model. The results are discussed in relation to prior investigations of the factorial structure of the PSQ.