Description of the Questionnaire

The Stress and Psychophysiological Symptoms Questionnaire assesses psychophysiological stress, meaning the level of sympathetic arousal, through the systematic recording of psychophysiological symptoms. It includes a list of fifty-three psychophysiological symptoms related to expressions of sympathetic arousal. The symptoms are divided into two subscales, one for physical symptoms, such as headaches and insomnia, and the other for psychological symptoms. Respondents record the frequency of these symptoms over the past month, and the total score indicates the level of stress.

Data Analysis and Use

The total score is calculated from the sum of all reported symptoms, taking into account their frequency of occurrence. A separate score is also calculated for each subscale, namely for physical and psychological symptoms. Data is collected both from the general population and from individuals presenting specific disorders, such as headaches and insomnia, allowing comparative analysis between different groups.

Purpose

The purpose of the questionnaire is the objective assessment of stress, based on self-reports related to expressions of sympathetic arousal. This method differs from standard measurements as it focuses on recording physical and psychological symptoms rather than solely on subjective evaluations of emotional state.

Scoring

The total score is obtained by summing the frequencies of occurrence of the symptoms reported by the respondent. For each subscale, the score is calculated in the same way. The process of assessing the validity and reliability of the questionnaire is currently in progress.

References

Christidis D., Pasaloudi C., Levi N., and Nassiopoulou G., Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, Ano Lechonia, 37300 Magnesia.