The test presented here is the Parental Stress Scale (PSS), developed by Judy O. Berry and Warren H. Jones (1995) as a brief alternative to the much longer Parenting Stress Index. It is an 18-item questionnaire assessing both the demanding aspects of parenting (time, energy, financial burden, loss of control) and its rewarding aspects (emotional benefits, closeness, personal development).
The test is designed for self-completion and takes about 4–5 minutes. Each statement is rated on how much you agree or disagree with it, based on your typical relationship with your child or children. The total score is calculated by reverse-scoring the positively worded items and summing all 18 responses, giving a range of 18 to 90. Unlike some other tests on this site, the PSS does not have official clinical cut-off scores — the categories shown with your result are based on an even division of the scale's range, not a clinical diagnosis. The result is not a medical diagnosis and does not replace consultation with a specialist.
Stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression are often intertwined in practice and can reinforce one another. If you are more concerned about anxiety, tension, or worry, our anxiety test may help. If you are more concerned about low mood, loss of interest, or lack of energy, our depression test may help. If you are struggling with sleep, try our sleep tests.