Scale Analysis

The Modified Differential Emotions Scale (mDES) was developed in 2003 by Fredrickson B. L., Tugade M. M., Waugh C. E., and Larkin G. R. The scale consists of 20 groups of emotions aimed at evaluating the intensity and frequency of positive and negative emotions experienced by individuals.

Objective

The mDES was designed to assess the frequency and intensity of both positive and negative emotions, as well as the ratio of positive to negative emotions experienced. The scale includes 20 emotions, divided into:
10 positive emotions: amusement, awe, contentment, gratitude, hope, love, pride, sexual desire, joy, interest
8 negative emotions: anger, shame, contempt, disgust, embarrassment, guilt, disappointment, fear
2 additional emotions: surprise and sympathy
(Note: In scoring, awe is excluded from the positive emotion score, and embarrassment is excluded from the negative emotion score.)

Scoring

Participants are asked to recall their experiences over the past two weeks and rate the strongest experience they had of each emotion using a scale from 1 (never) to 5 (always).
The overall scores for positive and negative emotions are then categorized as follows:
Positive Emotions
Very low: 9–12
Low: 13–20
Moderate: 21–36
High: 37–42
Very high: 43–45
Negative Emotions
Very low: 8
Low: 9–10
Moderate: 11–23
High: 24–30
Very high: 31–40

Statistical Analysis

The mDES provides separate total scores for positive and negative emotions. These scores are interpreted using the categories above to understand the overall emotional tone of the respondent’s recent experiences.

Validity and Reliability

The scale has been adapted into Greek using the back-translation method and has proven to be a reliable tool for evaluating emotions within the Greek population. The Cronbach’s alpha for the scale is α = 0.751, indicating acceptable internal consistency.

References

Original Authors: Fredrickson B. L., Tugade M. M., Waugh C. E., & Larkin G. R.
Greek Adaptation: Galanakis M., Pezirkianidis C., Karakasidou E., & Stalikas A.