Psychometric Properties of the Psychological Strain Scale in a Malaysian University Student Sample
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51200/sapj.v13i2.6918Keywords:
Reliability, concurrent validity, convergent validity, Psychological Strain ScaleAbstract
The Psychological Strain Scale (PSS) was a 40-item scale developed by Zhang and Lyu (2014) to measure four dimensions of psychological strain, included value, aspiration, deprivation, and coping strain. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the PSS, among university students in Malaysia. A total of 259 students (201 females, 58 males) were selected through snowball sampling from public and private universities. In addition to the PSS, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) were used to provide concurrent validity evidence of PSS. Findings indicated acceptable reliability level across the four subscales of PSS, with Cronbach’s alpha values of .638 (Value Strain), 698 (Deprivation Strain), .725 (Aspiration Strain), and .809 (Coping Strain). Convergent validity was supported by positive and significant intercorrelations between the four dimensions (r = .286 to r = .624). Concurrent validity evidence was provided with a significant and negative correlations between PSS dimensions and RSES scores (r = –.247 to –.578) and with significant and positive correlations between PSS dimensions and DASS-21 subscales (r = .188 to .533), the results were consistent with theoretical expectations. The findings suggest that the Psychological Strain Scale demonstrates satisfactory reliability and validity for assessing psychological strain among university students in Malaysia.
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