Psychometric Properties of the Polish Version of the Perth Emotional Reactivity Scale

Abstract

The Perth Emotional Reactivity Scale (PERS) is a 30-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the ease of activation, intensity, and duration of negative and positive emotions. Our study aimed to introduce and validate the Polish version of the PERS. The study was performed on a sample of 491 people (349 females and 142 males) aged 18–84 (M = 24.78, SD = 10.96). The factor structure was verified with confirmatory factor analysis. Convergent and divergent validity were assessed based on the relationship between the PERS and markers of anxiety, depression, and stress. For assessing criterion validity, we conducted a set of multiple regression analyses to examine whether PERS scores could predict significant variance in these mental health symptoms. We examined discriminant validity by conducting a second-order exploratory factor analysis of PERS scores and anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms. Our results indicated strong factorial validity, conforming to the intended 6-factor (subscale) structure. As expected, all PERS subscales correlated in expected directions with markers of anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms. The PERS showed good discriminant validity in terms of measuring an emotional reactivity construct across positive and negative emotions that was separable from people’s current level of distress. Internal consistency reliability was also good. Overall, the Polish version of the PERS appears to have good psychometric properties as a comprehensive measure of emotional reactivity.