Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40515618›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of methods in psychiatric research2025

Psychometric Evaluation of the Beliefs About Stress Scale in the German General Population.

Bjarne Schmalbach, Ileana Schmalbach, Johannes A C Laferton, Bernhard Strauß, Jörg M Fegert, Elmar Brähler, Katja Petrowski

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of methods in psychiatric research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Bjarne SchmalbachMedical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.ORCID 0000-0001-6853-412X
Ileana SchmalbachMedical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-5079-1002
Johannes A C LafertonInstitute for Mental Health and Behavioral Medicine & Department of Medicine, HMU Health and Medical University Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
Bernhard StraußInstitute of Psychosocial Medicine, Psychotherapy and Psychooncology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany.
Jörg M FegertDepartment for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
Elmar BrählerMedical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Katja PetrowskiMedical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBeliefs about stress significantly influence health outcomes. Reliable, economical scales are essential for assessing these beliefs to foster understanding on mechanisms by which stress mindsets affect health outcomes. Such understanding can inform interventions promoting adaptive stress perceptions and reducing chronic stress-related health risks.

methodThis study assessed the Beliefs About Stress Scale (BASS) in a representative German sample (N = 2515). We conducted confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate factorial validity and tested measurement invariance was tested across demographics, and the BASS's associations with related constructs were analyzed for convergent and discriminant validity.

resultsThe BASS demonstrated strong factorial validity, with a bifactor model offering superior fit to the three-factor structure. Measurement invariance analyses confirmed stability across demographics, though minor age-specific adjustments may improve interpretability. Positive beliefs about stress controllability and benefits were associated with healthier psychological outcomes, whereas negative stress beliefs linked to poorer mental health, underscoring the value of a "stress-is-enhancing" mindset. Normative data enhance the BASS's applicability in both research and clinical settings.

conclusionThe BASS exhibits robust validity and reliability, making it suitable for population-level applications and comparisons between groups. By clarifying the influence of stress mindsets on stress regulation, the BASS supports the development of mindset-based interventions that promote adaptive stress perceptions and help mitigate chronic stress risks.

Indexed as

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticePsychometricsStress, PsychologicalAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overFactor Analysis, StatisticalFemaleGermanyHumansMaleMiddle AgedReproducibility of ResultsYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID40515618
PMCPMC12166526

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.