An evaluation of the Positive Emotional Experiences Scale: A preliminary analysis
Open Access
- 22 April 2016
- journal article
- Published by AOSIS in SA Journal of Industrial Psychology
- Vol. 42 (1)
- https://doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v42i1.1337
Abstract
Orientation: The positive organisational behaviour movement emphasises the advantages of psychological strengths in business. The psychological virtues of positive emotional experiences can potentially promote human strengths to the advantages of business functioning and the management of work conditions. This is supported by Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory that emphasises the broadening of reactive thought patterns through experiences of positive emotions.Research purpose: A preliminary psychometric evaluation of a positive measurement of dimensions of emotional experiences in the workplace, by rephrasing the Kiefer and Barclay Toxic Emotional Experiences Scale.Motivation for the study: This quantitative Exploratory Factor Analysis investigates the factorial structure and reliability of the Positive Emotional Experiences Scale, a positive rephrased version of the Toxic Emotional Experiences Scale.Research approach, design and method: This Exploratory Factor Analysis indicates an acceptable three-factor model for the Positive Emotional Experiences Scale. These three factors are: (1) psychological recurrent positive state, (2) social connectedness and (3) physical refreshed energy, with strong Cronbach’s alphas of 0.91, 0.91 and 0.94, respectively.Main findings: The three-factor model of the Positive Emotional Experiences Scale provides a valid measure in support of Fredrickson’s theory of social, physical and psychological endured personal resources that build positive emotions.Practical/Managerial implications: Knowledge gained on positive versus negative emotional experiences could be applied by management to promote endured personal resources that strengthen positive emotional experiences.Contribution/value-add: The contribution of this rephrased Positive Emotional Experiences Scale provides a reliable measure of assessment of the social, physical and endured psychological and personal resources identified in Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory. Application of this Positive Emotional Experiences Scale as a diagnostic tool may allow businesses to work towards more positive emotional experiences in the workplace.Keywords
This publication has 59 references indexed in Scilit:
- Up-regulating positive emotions in everyday life: Strategies, individual differences, and associations with positive emotion and well-beingJournal of Research in Personality, 2012
- Positive emotions, negative emotions, or utility of discrete emotions?Journal of Organizational Behavior, 2012
- A discrete emotions approach to positive emotion disturbance in depressionCognition and Emotion, 2010
- Author Guidelines for Reporting Scale Development and Validation Results in the Journal of the Society for Social Work and ResearchJournal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 2010
- Positive Psychology and the Illness Ideology: Toward a Positive Clinical PsychologyApplied Psychology, 2008
- More evidence on the value of Chinese workers' psychological capital: A potentially unlimited competitive resource?The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 2008
- A Study of Exchange and Emotions in Team Member RelationshipsGroup & Organization Management, 2008
- Positive organizational behavior: Developing and managing psychological strengthsAcademy of Management Perspectives, 2002
- The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions.American Psychologist, 2001
- Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1988