Question

For what is the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale used?

1) To identify whether a complete assessment for anxiety by a mental health professional is indicated
2) To diagnose stress, anxiety, or other related disorders
3) To gauge the level of stress a person has been experiencing over the past month
4) To identify if stress levels are normal over the preceding month

Answer 1

The 10-item Perceived Stress Scale is utilized primarily to measure an individual's perceived stress level over the past month and is not used for diagnosing stress-related disorders.

Step-by-step explanation:

The 10-item Perceived Stress Scale is used to gauge the level of stress a person has been experiencing over the past month. This scale assesses how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded individuals find their lives. By evaluating different emotions and thoughts during the last month, it helps determine the perceived stress levels.

It is crucial to acknowledge that while the Perceived Stress Scale can indicate the presence of stress, it does not diagnose stress, anxiety, or other related disorders. Instead, it is a tool that can trigger the recognition of high stress levels, which may lead to a complete assessment by a mental health professional if needed.

Its main purpose is not to diagnose but to identify stress levels, which can contribute to psychological and physical health issues if not managed properly.