Description: The PANAS is a psychological tool designed to measure an individual’s emotional state by assessing two dimensions: positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA). The PANAS can be used in clinical as well as organizational settings: It is a valuable tool for organizations looking to assess and monitor employee well-being by tracking positive and negative emotions over time. It can be administered regularly to measure workplace affect, helping organizations understand how various factors—such as work stress, team dynamics, or leadership changes—impact employees' emotional states. The scale is also useful for evaluating the effectiveness of workplace interventions or programs designed to improve employee engagement, reduce stress, and promote a positive work culture.

It is a useful tool for therapists who are interested in tracking changes in positive and negative emotions for clients from week to week as they engage in day-to-day life. The PANAS is sensitive to momentary changes in affect and can be used to chart the immediate effects of therapy sessions as well as outcomes associated with positive psychological interventions,

exercises, or activities.

Purpose: Mood Assessment

Format: PDF

Permissions: No permissions required for educational and non profit research purposes

Reference: Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation

of brief measures of positive and negative affect: the PANAS scales. Journal of personality and social psychology, 54(6), 1063.