Translation and psychometric evaluation of the Parental Stress Scale in a Swedish sample

Abstract Objective This study aimed to translate and preliminarily evaluate the Swedish translation of the Parental Stress Scale. Background Parenting is influenced by a complex mix of personal, social, and cultural factors, often leading to stress and exhaustion from competing demands. In Sweden, supportive policies like parental leave and childcare services encourage shared responsibilities and work–life balance. Despite these supports, many parents experience stress related to time constraints, mental health issues, and limited resources, which can impact both their parenting and their child's development. Method A quantitative psychometric design was used. The Parental Stress Scale was translated into Swedish and tested among parents of children aged 0–5 years at two Child Health Centers. The data were examined through psychometric analysis, and a confirmatory factor analysis was performed to assess model fit. Results The goodness of fit of the translated Parental Stress Scale was acceptable, indicating that the translation is appropriate for use in a Swedish context. The chi‐square test revealed a significant p value, likely due to the small sample size, and the relative chi‐square (1.48) fell within the recommended range (2.0–5.0). Conclusion These findings suggest that the translated Parental Stress Scale should be used with caution, as it more accurately measures parental stress than satisfaction among this group of parents. Its use at Child Health Centers enables early stress detection among parents, supports interventions, and complements screening. In research, the scale can help evaluate parenting programs and long‐term studies, promoting international comparison.