Abstract

GODOY-IZQUIERDO, D.; MARTINEZ, A.  and  GODOY, J.F.. The «Affect Balance Scale»: Its psychometric properties as a tool for measuring positive and negative affect in the spanish population. Clínica y Salud [online]. 2008, vol.19, n.2, pp.157-189. ISSN 2174-0550.

Along with life satisfaction, affect balance is suggested to be a component of subjective well-being. Affect balance refers to the individual’s emotional responses when doing evaluative judgments on his/her life. Affect balance results from the consideration of both positive and negative emotions experienced over a given period of time. This paper describes the characteristics of the Affect Balance Scale (EBA, a Spanish version of the Positive and Negative Affect scale by Warr et al., 1983) using a sample of Spanish adults. METHOD: Two hundred and nineteen individuals aged 18 to 64 yr (Mean = 30.54, SD = 10.79, 62.1% females) voluntarily participated in the study. Subjects were selected from several community settings. Participants responded in only one measurement 4 measures assessing affect balance, general personal competence, health status and life satisfaction. RESULTS: The EBA showed appropriate psychometric properties -Cronbach’s alphas were 0.82 and 0.75 respectively for the Positive Affect subscale and Negative Affect subscale. Item behavior was also correct, showing their feasibility and relevance for assessing Affect Balance. A two-factor structure was found that fitted the theoretical structure. Nevertheless, two items need to be reformulated. The analysis of the possible relationship between positive and negative affect by means of structural equation modeling supports a close inverse relation between both dimensions of affectivity. The scale also showed a convergent validity with measures of personal global competence, health status and life satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Results confirm the utility and appropriateness of the EBA for the assessment of the Affect Balance in the Spanish population. Furthermore, the EBA can be considered a suitable tool for the study of Subjective Well-Being.

Keywords : Positive affect; Negative affect; Affect balance; Scale; Psychometric properties.

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