Purpose of the Scale

The primary goal of this scale is to measure and evaluate an individual’s psychological mood. By completing a series of questions, the aim is to capture the person’s emotional state at a specific point in time, offering a valuable tool for understanding and potentially intervening in their emotional well-being.

Scale Analysis

The POMS-65 (Profile of Mood States) scale was developed in 1971 by McNair and his colleagues. It consists of 65 items designed to assess an individual’s mood. These items are divided into six distinct subscales, each measuring a different dimension of emotional state. Specifically, the subscales evaluate tension, anger, depression, fatigue, confusion, and vigor. The classification of these emotional states allows for a comprehensive depiction of mood and can be used in a variety of contexts, from psychological assessment to research applications.

Scoring and Statistical Analysis

Responses are rated on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely), reflecting the degree to which each described feeling corresponds to the individual’s experience. The overall score is calculated by summing the ratings, with most subscales contributing positively and the vigor subscale being weighted negatively. The final score ranges from 0 to 260, with higher scores indicating a better overall mood.

Validity

The construct validity of the subscales has been evaluated and found to be satisfactory. This suggests that the subscales effectively measure the emotional states they are theoretically intended to assess.

Reliability

The reliability of the scale, particularly across its six subscales, has been tested using Cronbach’s alpha. The values range from 0.69 to 0.91, indicating good to excellent internal consistency. This means the subscales demonstrate stability and coherence in measuring their respective emotional dimensions.

References

Harris, E., Kirk, J., Rowsell, R., Vitetta, L., Sali, A., Scholey, A. B., & Pipingas, A. (2011). The effect of multivitamin supplementation on mood and stress in healthy older men. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, 26(8), 560–567.
Heuchert, J. P., & McNair, D. M. (2019). Profile of Mood States 2. Multi-Health Systems (MHS), Toronto, ON.
McNair, D. M. (1971). Profile of mood states instrument. Manual for the profile of mood states, 3–29.
McNair, D. M. (1992). Profile of mood states. Educational and Industrial Testing Service.
Shahid, A., Wilkinson, K., Marcu, S., & Shapiro, C. M. (2011). Profile of mood states (POMS). In STOP, THAT and one hundred other sleep scales (pp. 285–286). Springer, New York, NY.