The Profile of Mood States (POMS) is a psychological assessment tool used to measure various aspects of an individual’s mood. It is designed to assess the intensity of six distinct mood states: tension, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue, and confusion. It has been used extensively in both clinical and research settings to measure mood states in a variety of populations, including both healthy adults and those suffering from psychological disorders.
The Profile of Mood States was developed by McNair, Lorr, and Droppleman (1971). It is composed of 65 items that are rated on a five-point scale ranging from “not at all” to “extremely.” The items can be divided into six subscales, each representing a different mood domain. The tension/anxiety subscale measures the degree of tension and anxiety experienced by the respondent. The depression subscale measures the intensity of feelings such as sadness and hopelessness. The anger subscale measures the intensity of feelings such as hostility and aggression. The vigor subscale measures the intensity of feelings such as enthusiasm and energy. The fatigue subscale measures the intensity of feelings such as tiredness and apathy. Finally, the confusion subscale measures the intensity of feelings such as difficulty concentrating and disorientation.
The Profile of Mood States has demonstrated good reliability and validity when used with both adults and children. It is relatively easy to administer and score, making it a useful tool for many research and clinical settings. Studies have shown that the POMS is sensitive to changes in mood states over time, allowing researchers to measure the effects of interventions such as psychotherapy and medication. Additionally, the POMS has been found to be a useful tool in the diagnosis of a variety of psychological disorders, including depression and anxiety.
In conclusion, the Profile of Mood States is a valuable assessment tool for measuring various aspects of mood in both clinical and research settings. It is quick and easy to administer and score, and has demonstrated good psychometric properties. It is a useful tool for investigating changes in mood states over time, and has been shown to be useful in the diagnosis of various psychological disorders.
References
McNair, D.M., Lorr, M., & Droppleman, L.F. (1971). Profile of mood states. San Diego, CA: Educational and Industrial Testing Service.