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Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS)
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About Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS)
Scale Name
Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS)
Author Details
David Watson, Lee Anna Clark, and Auke Tellegen
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), developed by David Watson, Lee Anna Clark, and Auke Tellegen in 1988, is a 20-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) as primary dimensions of mood in research settings. Published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (1988), the PANAS assesses PA (e.g., enthusiastic, alert, active) and NA (e.g., distressed, angry, guilty) using 10 items each, selected from 60 descriptors for their specificity to one factor. It captures both short-term emotional states and longer-term mood traits, linking to personality traits like extraversion (PA) and neuroticism (NA). The scale assumes PA and NA are largely independent, with weak negative correlations, and distinguishes them from pleasantness-unpleasantness as a separate bipolar continuum.
Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = very slightly or not at all, 5 = extremely) for various timeframes (e.g., “right now,” “past week,” “past year”). Scores sum to 10–50 for PA and NA, with higher scores indicating stronger affect. The PANAS was validated with ~1,000–2,000 adults (mean age ≈ 18–65 years, mixed gender, U.S.-based, primarily undergraduates), correlating with neuroticism (r = 0.58 for NA) and extraversion (r = 0.51 for PA). It is used in clinical psychology, mood research, and public health to study affect’s role in mental health. Access requires permission from Journal of Personality and Social Psychology or the authors.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the PANAS from Watson et al. (1988) or Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (adults 18+ in general or clinical populations) that the questionnaire assesses mood states, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 20-item scale via self-report in research or clinical settings, using paper or digital formats, specifying a timeframe (e.g., “past week”) for rating affect intensity.
- Estimated completion time is 5–10 minutes.
- Ensure a private, supportive environment; provide mental health resources (e.g., counseling services) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., large print, oral administration) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The PANAS demonstrates strong psychometric properties (Watson et al., 1988). Internal consistency is high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.83–0.90 for PA, 0.84–0.93 for NA, N ≈ 1,000 across six undergraduate samples; 0.88 for PA, 0.79–0.85 for NA in other studies). Inter-scale correlations are low and negative (r = -0.12 to -0.32), supporting independence of PA and NA. Eight-week test-retest reliability ranges from 0.47–0.68 for PA and 0.39–0.71 for NA, increasing with longer timeframes.
Factor analysis confirms two distinct factors (PA and NA), with item loadings ≥ 0.52 on dominant factors and ≤ -0.14 on non-dominant factors. Convergent validity is supported by correlations with Hopkins Symptom Checklist (r = 0.65–0.74 for NA, -0.19 to -0.29 for PA), Beck Depression Inventory (r = 0.56–0.58 for NA, -0.35 to -0.36 for PA), and Mental Health Inventory (r = 0.59–0.70). NA correlates with DASS depression (r = 0.60), anxiety (r = 0.60), and stress (r = 0.67).
Discriminant validity is evidenced by weak correlations with unrelated constructs (e.g., somatic symptoms for PA) and diurnal variation (PA rises in morning, NA stable). Pairing with the Beck Depression Inventory or General Health Questionnaire enhances comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
20-Items
Reference
Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: the PANAS scales. Journal of personality and social psychology, 54(6), 1063.
Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of personality and social psychology, 54(6), 1063-1070.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the PANAS measure?
It measures positive and negative affect as mood dimensions.
Who is the target population?
Adults (18+) in research or clinical settings for mood studies.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 5–10 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it assesses mood to guide mental health interventions.
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