Examining the factor structure and age invariance of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule

Although the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) is the most commonly used scale to assess positive (PA) and negative affect (NA), its structure is still under debate. The purpose of this study was to test the PANAS structure and examine its invariance across age groups. The sample of 3785 participants, aged from 15 to 73, was divided into four groups: adolescents, young adults, adults and mature adults. A series of factor models were tested in a confirmatory fashion and measurement invariance was tested as well. Overall, the correlated 3-factor model (PA, NA fear and NA distress) exhibited the best fit in all age groups. The highly positively correlated NA factors were negatively correlated with the PA factor. The reliabilities of the fitted factors were high (α above .80) regardless of age group. Partial measurement invariance was established across age groups. Results revealed that the distinction of NA specificity decreased with age, whereas the negative correlation between positive and negative affect increased. The main limitation of the study is that the participants were divided into four arbitrary age groups and unequal sample sizes. These findings show that the classic two-factor PANAS structure is partially valid in some developmental age groups, while changes may occur in young age (specific distinction of NA factors) and with aging (moving toward a more interrelated positive and negative affect).