Questionnaire - Stress Test

This questionnaire is a quick and easy way of assessing how well you are currently managing the
demands of life and work. Please work through each question. The total score will provide you
with a brief analysis and some suggestions about how to manage your current situation. Care
First will be a vital part of the resources available to you. Consider each of the following 20
questions and give yourself a realistic score. Once you have collected a total score, please note
the comments at the end of the exercise to guide any further advisable action.

1 Do you suffer with difficulty in sleeping?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

2 Do you find it difficult to concentrate?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

3 Do financial problems get you down?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

Do you feel you have to be the 'coper' for the family or for colleagues, with no option
4
for seeking support for yourself?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

Do you find yourself 'self-medicating' with additional alcohol, nicotine or other

5
substances?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

6 Do you get angry quickly?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

When you have been ill with relatively minor illnesses, does it take you a long time to
7
recover?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

8 Do you find you are prone to negative thinking about your job?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

9 Do you feel you are isolated, with no-one to talk to ?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

Would you take a sick day, not because you feel ill but overwhelmed, just to keep your
10
'head above water' emotionally, mentally and physically?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

Do you feel out of control and as if you're not in the driving seat of your life and
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health?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

12 Do you 'snack' instead of eating 'wholesome' meals?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

13 When conflict arises at work or at home, do you tend to over-react?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

Do you feel that there is more work to do than you realistically have the capacity to
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do?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

Do you feel caught between the pressures of responsibility for children and for your
15
parents?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

16 Do you feel 'under par' even at the beginning of a working day?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

17 Do you shy away from social contact with colleagues and friends?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

18 Do other people comment on your not taking care of your appearance?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

19 Do you claim you have no time for hobbies and interests?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

Do you feel misunderstood or unappreciated by your colleagues, friends or family

20
members?

a. Not at all b. Rarely c. Sometimes d. Often e. Very Often

Your score indicates you have quite a relaxed approach to life at present, helping
you to stay calm and unruffled in most situations. Is there a possibility that you may
feel unstimulated and a little bored with life? Little or no pressure or stress can
indicate a lifestyle or career that is failing to stretch you and which may be
unsatisfying. Are you ready for a little more responsibility?

Please do not ignore this score. Talk to someone soon who can begin to help you.
Accept support offered from friends, colleagues and family but an independent
professional like Care First, your GP or your occupational health adviser may be a
better option at this time.
Perceived Stress Scale
This is a measure of the degree to which you are experiencing stress in your various life
situations. For each item, choose the number that best describes you by clicking one of the five
circles to the right of the statement according to the following scale:
0=never 1=almost never 2=sometimes 3=fairly often 4=very often

In the last month, how often have you been upset

1.
because of something that happened unexpectedly?
0 1 2 3 4

In the last month, how often have you felt that you
2. were unable to control the important things in your
life? 0 1 2 3 4

In the last month, how often have you felt nervous

3.
and "stressed"?
0 1 2 3 4

In the last month, how often have you felt confident

4.
about your ability to handle your personal problems?
0 1 2 3 4

In the last month, how often have you felt that

5.
things were going your way?
0 1 2 3 4

In the last month, how often have you found that

6. you could not cope with all the things that you had
to do? 0 1 2 3 4

In the last month, how often have you been able to

7.
control irritations in your life?
0 1 2 3 4

In the last month, how often have you felt that you
8.
were on top of things?
0 1 2 3 4
 In the last month, how often have you been angered
9.
because of things that were outside of your control?
0 1 2 3 4

In the last month, how often have you felt difficulties

1
were piling up so high that you could not overcome
0.
them? 0 1 2 3 4

Reset Calculate

Adapted from Cohen, S. (1994). Perceived Stress Scale.