Assessment of the Emotional Reactivity Through the Positive and Negative Emotions: The Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Perth Emotional Reactivity Scale

Background: Emotional reactivity is a key construct for understanding psychopathology. Examining the psychometric properties of the instruments in societies with different cultures can help with their external validity. Objectives: The current study aimed at standardization and validation of the Perth emotional reactivity scale (PERS) in Iranian university students. Methods: The Persian version of the PERS was produced through forward translation, reconciliation, and back-translation. A total of 302 (169 males and 133 females) nonclinical students were selected by convenience sampling method, and completed a set of questionnaires, including the PERS, weight efficacy lifestyle questionnaire-short form (WEL-SF), eating attitude test-16 (EAT-16), self-esteem scale (SES), difficulties in emotion regulation scale-16 (DERS-16), and self-compassion scale (SCS) short-form. The construct validity of the PERS was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis and divergent and convergent validity. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability (a 2-weeks interval) were used to evaluate the reliability. Data analysis was performed using LISREL (version 8.8) and SSPS (version 22) software. Results: All PERS scales and subscales were found with good internal consistency and test-retest reliability in a nonclinical population. The convergent validity and divergent validity were also found good. The results of this study provides the support for the applicability of the six-factor (RMSEA = 0.06, NFI = 0.94, NNFI = 0.96, and CFI = 0.97) and two-factor (RMSEA = 0.07, NFI = 0.94, NNFI = 0.96, and CFI = 0.96) models of the PERS. Conclusions: The PERS showed good validity and reliability and can be useful in assessing emotional reactivity in the Iranian population. The PERS can be promising as a measure to use in emotional-based studies and clinical settings.