Psychometric Validation of the Chinese version of the Perceived Stress Scale-10 among pregnant women

Background: The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is a widely used tool for measuring perceived stress. However, the Chinese version (CPSS-10) has not yet been validated among pregnant women in mainland China. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the CPSS-10 in this population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a Chinese hospital, using a convenience sample of pregnant women who were randomly categorized into two groups. The factor composition of the CPSS-10 was analyzed using exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses. The scale underwent additional testing to verify its convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity and internal consistency. Results : A total of 428 pregnant Chinese women participated. EFA revealed two factors; negative feelings and positive feelings, accounting for 59.869% of the variance. Item loadings ranged from 0.658 to 0.833. CFA confirmed that the two-factor model fit for the two-factor solution. Convergent validity was supported by average variance extracted (0.434–0.558), and composite reliability indicated convergent validity (0.754–0.883). Discriminant validity was established, and internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.804), while the values of both subscales varied from 0.749 to 0.881. Concurrent validity was supported by a significant negative correlation with perceived social support. Conclusion: The CPSS-10 demonstrates strong psychometric properties and is a valid and reliable tool for assessing perceived stress among pregnant women in mainland China. Its use may aid in identifying stress-related risk during pregnancy and guide timely psychological support.