Age-group differences in facets of positive and negative affect

R E Ready; J G Vaidya; D Watson; R D Latzman; E A Koffel; L A Clark

doi:10.1080/13607863.2011.562184

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Age-group differences in facets of positive and negative affect

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Age-group differences in facets of positive and negative affect

R E Ready, J G Vaidya, D Watson, R D Latzman, E A Koffel and L A Clark

Aging & mental health, Vol.15(6), pp.784-795

08/2011

DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2011.562184

PMID: 21547744

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Abstract

The higher order structure of Positive Affect (PA) and Negative Affect (NA) is comparable in self-report affect data from younger and older adults. The current study advances this work by comparing the factor structure of facets of PA and NA in older and younger adults using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Older (N = 203; M age = 73.5 years, range 65-92) and younger (N = 349; M age = 19.1 years, range 18-30) adults completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Expanded Form (PANAS-X) (Watson, D., & Clark, L.A. (1999). Manual for the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule -- Expanded Form. Iowa City, IA: The University of Iowa), which measures General PA and NA as well as three facets of PA (Joviality, Self-Assurance, and Attentiveness) and four facets of NA (Fear, Sadness, Guilt, and Hostility). Item-level exploratory factor analyses of the facet scales revealed structures that were similar in older and younger adults; however, older adult solutions were more diffuse and diverged more from the PANAS-X scale structure. The facet of Sadness exhibited the largest age-group difference, relating more to guilt and anxiety in older than younger adults. Older adults may discriminate less amongst specific affect terms or may experience greater affective heterogeneity. Further, Sadness may manifest in age-specific ways. The construct variance of Sadness, and how this issue might be related to the assessment of depression in older adults, is discussed.

Young Adult

Affect - physiology

Humans

Self Report

Adolescent

Aged, 80 and over

Adult

Aging - psychology

Female

Male

Aged

Factor Analysis, Statistical

Details

Title: Subtitle: Age-group differences in facets of positive and negative affect
Creators: R E Ready - Department of Psychology, The University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA. ready@psych.umass.edu
J G Vaidya
D Watson
R D Latzman
E A Koffel
L A Clark
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Aging & mental health, Vol.15(6), pp.784-795
DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2011.562184
PMID: 21547744
NLM abbreviation: Aging Ment Health
ISSN: 1364-6915
eISSN: 1364-6915
Publisher: England
Language: English
Date published: 08/2011
Academic Unit: Psychiatry; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; University College Courses
Record Identifier: 9984003423002771

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