title: Psychometric properties of the Affect Intensity and Reactivity Measure adapted for Youth (AIR-Y).
abstract: A valid and reliable instrument for measuring affect intensity does not exist for adolescents; such a measure may help to refine understanding of emotion among youths. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the psychometric properties and clinical relevance of a measure of affect intensity adapted for youths. Two hundred five community adolescents and 179 adolescents from a residential treatment program were recruited; both samples completed self-report questionnaires, and the community-based sample participated in positive and negative mood-eliciting laboratory tasks. Confirmatory factor analyses comparing multiple models indicated a 3-factor structure was the best fit. This Affect Intensity and Reactivity Scale for Youth (AIR-Y) evidenced good internal consistency and test-retest reliability, and the 3 factors showed incremental predictive validity for mood ratings following emotion-elicitation procedures, even after accounting for the relevant scale on the Positive and Negative Affect Scale for Children. Evidence for the clinical relevance of the AIR-Y, particularly the Negative Intensity factor, was found. Overall, the AIR-Y appears to be a psychometrically sound measure for the assessment of affect intensity among youths.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Arkansas.
authors.forename: Rachel E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Arkansas.
authors.forename: Ellen W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Leen-Feldner
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University.
authors.forename: Bunmi O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Olatunji
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Arkansas.
authors.forename: Laura E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Reardon
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Arkansas.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hawks
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000339:Affect / Q000145:classification*; D002648:Child; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires