A principal component analysis of the post-secondary student stressors index in a sample of Ontario students

Post-secondary students report high levels of stress and mental health challenges. Identifying the key sources of stress can guide efforts to mitigate the most significant stressors and better support students’ mental health. The Post-Secondary Student Stressors Index (PSSI), a 46-item inventory, was designed to comprehensively assess stressors specific to post-secondary students. However, its dimensional structure and its association with mental health indices require further validation. In the present study, a Principal Component Analysis was conducted to examine the structure of the PSSI, and the associations between the resulting stressor components and several mental health indices. Participants included 1,214 first-year students (Mage = 18.14 years, SD = 0.95), who completed the PSSI, as well as measures of perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. Results suggested 12 components that accounted for 42 of the original 46 items, with most components demonstrating moderate to high internal consistency (α = .70 -.90). Correlational analyses revealed positive associations between the PSSI components and measures of perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms, although components with lower endorsements were associated with weaker correlations. By identifying valid and reliable components of the PSSI, this study facilitates the use of specific stressor components in future research on student stress and mental health.