Physical Symptoms Inventory – PSI (18-item version)
Measures the presence and severity of somatic physical symptoms associated with occupational stress.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Physical Symptoms Inventory – PSI (18-item version) was developed by Paul E. Spector & Steve M. Jex (1998). It is designed to measure Somatic physical symptoms. The scale is intended for use with Working adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 18 items.
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = No, 2 = Yes, but I didn't see doctor, 3 = Yes, and I saw doctor.
Scoring
Items are summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from 18 to 54. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low somatic symptoms: 18 – 24
- Moderate somatic symptoms: 25 – 36
- High somatic symptoms: 37 – 54
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.70 – 0.80.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 3 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.