The Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) is a cornerstone in measuring stress. Despite the solid psychometric properties of some translated versions of the PSS-10 and their successful application in various groups, a review of several studies revealed a shortcoming in the use of non-standardized methodology korean translator in dubai.

This study aimed to systematically review the psychometric properties of the non-English versions of the PSS-10.

The investigators identified 20 quantitative articles from various databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, OVID, and CINAHL, guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Each article had undergone acomprehensive validity and reliability evaluation using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. Internal consistency was adequate in 11 studies (? ? 0.8), acceptable in eight (? ? 0.7), and questionable in one (? ? 0.6). All analyzed studies were observational. Most studies employed a cross-sectional design (n = 17) with a longitudinal component (test–retest n = 11). Some studies employed retrospective (n = 1) and prospective cohort (n = 2) designs. The two-factor construct validity was confirmed by exploratory (n = 11) and confirmatory factor analysis (n = 7).

The focus was on the homogeneity of the items within the translated scale of different languages. However, the reported internal consistency and construct validity of the translated PSS-10 varied based on participant characteristics, language, culture, disease population, gender, and sample size.

A standardized approach to psychometric methodology would enable other researchers to develop the reliability and the validity of the translated PSS-10 across diverse populations and cultures in a defined and accurate manner.

The World Health Organization (WHO, 2023) defines stress as a natural human response characterized by mental tension resulting from challenging or demanding situations. Perceived stress (PS) is a critical factor in mediating depression and anxiety (Anyan et al., 2020). Several studies confirmed prolonged exposure to more stressful experiences is associated with poorer overall health and increased mortality (Epel et al., 2018; Gao et al., 2008). The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is a cornerstone in stress measurement. It is a widely adopted psychometric instrument developed by Cohen et al. (1983). The English PSS-10 version exhibits adequate reliability and validity, with an alpha coefficient of 0.78. The PSS-10 has been validated and used in various population groups and cultural settings, and it has been translated into several languages. Despite the solid psychometric properties of some translated PSS-10s and their successful application in various populations, cultural settings, and languages, a review of several studies revealed a shortcoming in the use of non-standardized methodologies.

One shortcoming is the variation in PSS-10's factor structure. Studies have employed unidimensional (Cohen et al., 1983; Cohen & Williamson, 1988), two-factor (Chaaya et al., 2010), three-factor (Bradbury, 2013), and bifactor structures (Jatic et al., 2023). Understanding the dimensionality of the PSS-10 is crucial for its validity and application across diverse contexts and populations. The second shortcoming of the PSS-10 is its test reliability and criterion validity. Some studies have not demonstrated consistent test–retest reliability (Andreou et al., 2011; Cohen et al., 1983). Several studies used Pearson's, Spearman's, or intraclass correlation (ICC). However, the ICC is the recommended method for evaluating test–retest reliability with a suggested test–retest interval of 14 days (Kempf-Leonard, 2004). Studies have shown a decline in predictive validity and test–retest reliability of the PSS-10 after 4 weeks (Cohen et al., 1983; Cohen & Williamson, 1988). This ongoing disagreement underscores the need for further research and the complexity of the PSS-10 scale.

Nurses collaborating with multilingual patients need reliable and valid instruments in different languages (Hore-Lucy et al., 2024). Stress experiences vary across cultures, and using a single instrument may not accurately reflect these variations. Inadequate language support in healthcare can lead to miscommunication, misdiagnosis, and health disparities (Al Shamsi et al., 2020). A systematic review enables the identification of variables influencing the cultural validity of the PSS-10 for research and practice settings, ensuring findings are accurate and applicable across diverse cultural groups.

A preliminary search in PROSPERO with the search term “perceived stress scale” yielded 401 studies (completed, discontinued, and ongoing). Currently, there is no systematic review of the non-English PSS-10. This systematic review, registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024593632), is the first to comprehensively appraise and analyze the translated PSS-10 and their psychometric evaluations. The potential benefits of this review are promising, offering opportunities for improved cross-cultural health assessments and more effective healthcare practices.

The review aimed to synthesize the published peer-reviewed studies on the psychometric properties of the non-English PSS-10.

The research team conducted the review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). They established inclusion and exclusion criteria based on evidence about the topic, population, study design, setting, country of origin, and outcome.