Evaluation of the validity and reliability of the Vietnamese version of the perceived stress scale-10 among nursing students

Objective: This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Vietnamese version of the Perceived Stress Scale (VN-PSS-10) among nursing students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 350 nursing students from a university in Vietnam. Psychometric evaluation followed COSMIN guidelines, assessing content validity, structural validity, and reliability. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed, with internal consistency measured by Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest reliability assessed via intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Results: The VN-PSS-10 demonstrated strong content validity (I-CVI: 0.80–1.00). EFA and CFA confirmed a two-factor structure (Perceived Helplessness and Perceived Self-Efficacy), explaining 54.2% of variance. The scale showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.84) and excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.87). Stress levels varied significantly across academic years, with advanced students reporting higher perceived stress. Conclusions: The Vietnamese Perceived Stress Scale (VN-PSS-10) is a valid and reliable tool for measuring perceived stress in Vietnamese nursing students. Its robust psychometric properties support its use in both research and educational settings. Future research should assess its responsiveness to stress-reduction interventions and its applicability to other student populations.