The University Stress Scale
How often have each of the following caused you stress over the past month? If any are not applicable to you, choose Not at all.
| | Not at all | Sometimes | Frequently | Constantly |
| | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1. Academic/coursework demands | | | | |
| 2. Procrastination | | | | |
| 3. University/college environment | | | | |
| 4. Finances and money problems | | | | |
| 5. Housing/accommodation | | | | |
| 6. Transport | | | | |
| 7. Mental health problems | | | | |
| 8. Physical health problems | | | | |
| 9. Parenting issues | | | | |
| 10.Childcare | | | | |
| 11. Family relationships | | | | |
| 12.Friendships | | | | |
| 13. Romantic relationships | | | | |
| 14. Relationship break-down | | | | |
| 15. Work | | | | |
| 16. Parental expectations | | | | |
| 17. Study/life balance | | | | |
| 18. Discrimination | | | | |
| 19. Sexual orientation issues | | | | |
| 20. Language/cultural issues | | | | |
| 21. Other demands | | | | |
Scoring
Problem score = number of items endorsed > 0 / Problem scores range from 0 to 21
Extent score = sum of all items / Extent scores range from 0 to 63
Source: University Stress Scale, (Stallman, 2008)
This scale was developed in Australia as a screening tool for use with university students (Stallman & Hurst, 2016). Research by its developers found higher extent scores (greater than 13) correlated with poorer physical and emotional well-being (Stallman & Hurst, 2016). If you scored 13 or higher, you’re not alone. More than half (59.7%) of the university students who completed the scale as part of its development scored above 13 (Stallman & Hurst, 2016). This suggests that today’s university students are, in general, highly stressed.
Importantly, the scale is provided here simply to get you thinking about the relationship between stress and health, not to provide a definitive assessment of your own illness risk (or to add to any stress you are already experiencing!). People have different degrees of illness vulnerability and some of us cope with stress better than others. Thus, scores should be interpreted cautiously. That said, if you believe that stress is currently creating challenges for you, please speak to your professor or seek help from your university health/counseling service or another mental health professional.
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