Positive and Negative Affect Scale for Children – PANAS-C
Measures the distinct dimensions of positive and negative affect in children and adolescents.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Positive and Negative Affect Scale for Children – PANAS-C was developed by Laurent, J., Catanzaro, J., Joiner, T. E., Rudolph, K., Potter, K. I., Lambert, S., et al. (1999). It is designed to measure Positive and Negative Affect. The scale is intended for use with Children and adolescents.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 27 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Positive Affect, Negative Affect.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Positive Affect | 1,4,7,8,11,13,16,17,18,20,24,27 | 12 |
| Negative Affect | 2,3,5,6,9,10,12,14,15,19,21,22,23,25,26 | 15 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Very slightly or not at all, 2 = A little, 3 = Moderately, 4 = Quite a bit, 5 = Extremely.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 12 to 75. Interpretation guidelines:
- Positive Affect Score Range: 12 – 60
- Negative Affect Score Range: 15 – 75
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.