TYPES OF POSITIVE AFFECT SCALE

Abstract

The Types of Positive Affect Scale (TOPAS) is an 18-item self-report instrument developed to assess the frequency and intensity with which individuals experience various positive emotions. It utilizes a 5-point rating scale ranging from 0 (‘not characteristic of me’) to 4 (‘very characteristic of me’). Through Factor Analysis, the scale was empirically divided into three distinct subscales, reflecting different dimensions of Positive Affect (PA): Activating Positive Affect (e.g., excitement, energy), Relaxed Positive Affect (e.g., calm, peacefulness), and Safeness/Contentment Positive Affect (e.g., security, warmth). The instrument demonstrated strong Psychometric Properties, particularly in its internal consistency across the derived factors, supporting its utility in assessing multifaceted emotional experience.

Keywords

Positive Affect, Emotion, Affect Regulation, Activating Affect, Relaxed Affect, Safeness, Contentment, Psychometric Scale, Self-Report.

Authors

Paul Gilbert, K. McEwan, R. Mitra, L. Franks, A. Richter, H. Rockliff.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Types of Positive Affect Scale (TOPAS) is to quantify the individual differences in the experience of various positive emotional states. It moves beyond unitary measures of Positive Affect (PA) by attempting to categorize these feelings into distinct, functionally relevant components.

Specifically, the scale aims to distinguish between high-arousal positive feelings (activating), low-arousal positive feelings (relaxed), and positive feelings associated with safety and contentment, which are crucial for understanding affective regulation and well-being, particularly in clinical contexts involving depression and anxiety.

Construct

The scale measures three distinct psychological constructs related to the experience of positive emotions, suggesting that Positive Affect is not monolithic but rather multifaceted. These constructs are often linked to different underlying neurophysiological and behavioral systems.

• Activating Positive Affect: This subscale captures feelings associated with high energy, engagement, excitement, and drive (e.g., Energetic, Enthusiastic). This dimension is often linked to the behavioral activation system (BAS).
• Relaxed Positive Affect: This dimension measures low-arousal, tranquil states related to non-threat and peacefulness (e.g., Calm, Serene).
• Safeness/Contentment Positive Affect: This factor specifically assesses feelings of being secure, cared for, and satisfied (e.g., Secure, Warm, Content). This construct is particularly relevant in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) literature, often viewed as reflecting a specific Affect Regulation system designed for soothing and connection.

Validity

While the original source description focuses primarily on internal consistency, the development study implicitly suggests strong construct validity through its ability to differentiate between distinct types of positive emotional experiences via Factor Analysis. Furthermore, the accompanying research paper (Gilbert et al., 2008) provides evidence of criterion and convergent validity by demonstrating specific relationships between these three positive affect factors and clinical variables such as self-criticism, depression, anxiety, and stress.

The clear distinction between Activating PA and Safeness/Contentment PA supports the theoretical validity of the scale, suggesting that feeling safe and warm (Safeness PA) operates independently from goal-driven excitement (Activating PA) in its relationship to mental health outcomes.

Reliability

The Types of Positive Affect Scale demonstrated good internal consistency, a key measure of reliability, across its three subscales during the development study.

• Activating Positive Affect: Cronbach’s Alpha = .83
• Relaxed Positive Affect: Cronbach’s Alpha = .83
• Safeness/Contentment Positive Affect: Cronbach’s Alpha = .73

These values indicate that the items within each factor are highly correlated and reliably measure their respective underlying constructs, meeting generally accepted standards for psychological research instruments and confirming the scale’s Psychometric Properties.

Factor Analysis

The structure of the TOPAS was established using Factor Analysis on the 18 items. This statistical procedure revealed a robust three-factor solution, confirming the hypothesis that Positive Affect is differentiated into functionally distinct systems.

The three factors identified were:

1. Activating Positive Affect (high arousal, associated with seeking/excitement).
2. Relaxed Positive Affect (low arousal, associated with quiescence).
3. Safeness/Contentment Positive Affect (associated with soothing and attachment).

This empirical factorization supports the theoretical model proposed by the authors regarding specific systems of Affect Regulation, particularly highlighting the unique role of safety and contentment.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report questionnaire / Trait measure of positive affect

Format: 18 items rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale (0 = Not characteristic of me; 4 = Very characteristic of me)

Language Available: English (Original)

Population Group: Clinical and Non-clinical adults

Age Group: Adults (typically 18+)

Population Details: Developed and validated initially on general adult populations, often used in studies focusing on mental health and affect regulation.

Test Methodology: Respondents rate how characteristic each feeling word is of them, reflecting their common experience of these emotions.

Keywords

Positive Emotions, Affective Science, Activating Affect, Safeness System, Cronbach’s Alpha, Psychological Assessment, Affect Regulation.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in the source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in the source material. Paul Gilbert is commonly affiliated with the Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby.

Correspondence Address: Not provided in the source material (Refer to original journal article for contact details).

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The scale was published in 2008. The copyright is held by P. Gilbert (© Gilbert, 2008). Researchers typically need to contact the primary author or publisher (The Journal of Positive Psychology) for formal permission regarding large-scale or commercial use. The scale is frequently used freely in academic research, consistent with many psychological measures developed for specific studies.

Reference’s

Gilbert, P., McEwan, K., Mitra, R., Franks, L., Richter, A. & Rockliff, H. (2008). ‘Feeling safe and content: A specific affect regulation system? Relationship to depression, anxiety, stress, and self-criticism’. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 3, 182-191.

The scale was developed as part of the research described in this publication.

Items of the TYPES OF POSITIVE AFFECT SCALE

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

Scoring Subscales:

Active positive affect

• Energetic
• Lively
• Adventurous
• Active
• Enthusiastic
• Dynamic
• Excited
• Eager

Relaxed positive affect

• Relaxed
• Peaceful
• Calm
• Tranquil
• Laid back
• Serene

Safe/warmth positive affect

• Safe
• Content
• Secure
• Warm