This study aimed to perform a confirmatory factor analysis of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) in the Brazilian versions of 14, 10, 4 items; to analyze their concurrent validity with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12); to map the profile of the stress in a representative sampling; and to establish stress assessment parameters by the standardization of the scores from overall population. The sample was population-based by conglomerate designs and clusters tracts. Thus, 1,154 inhabitants from a capital city of a northeastern state of Brazil participated in the study, mostly female (55.6%), with high school degree (51.7%), employed (72.7%), and nonsmokers (90.6%). The average income and age were BRL 1,200.00 and 29 years old, respectively. By the end, it was found satisfactory adjustments for the three PSS versions but just in its two-factor model; the PSS with 10 items was shown as a harmonious solution between the full and reduced scales considering the relationship between parsimony and statistical robustness of the scale. Furthermore, the PSS ratified its concurrent validity with the GHQ-12. It was also made the scores normalization of the PSS setting up parameters for future comparisons.
Confirmatory factor analysis; stress; Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); psychometry; scale validation