Translation and psychometric validation of the Taiwanese daily stress inventory in a young university sample

Accurate assessment of daily stressors is crucial for understanding stress-health dynamics, yet culturally adapted instruments are needed for diverse populations. This study translated and psychometrically evaluated the Taiwanese Daily Stress Inventory (TDSI), a Traditional Chinese adaptation of the Daily Stress Inventory (DSI). Data were collected from 470 Traditional Chinese-speaking young adults, predominantly female (86% female, 14% male), with an average age of 19.82 (SD = 2.50). The TDSI demonstrated excellent internal consistency for its core indices (Cronbach's α and McDonald's ω > 0.80). Construct validity was supported by significant negative correlations between TDSI indices (Frequency, Sum, Average Impact Rating) and self-reported physical and mental health, confirming that higher daily stress corresponds with poorer health. Analyses of meditation experience were treated as exploratory, given the small proportion of regular practitioners. The findings support the TDSI as a reliable and valid instrument for assessing daily stress in Traditional Chinese-speaking young adults, contributing a needed tool for cross-cultural psychological assessment research and practices.