[The German short version of "Profile of Mood States" (POMS): psychometric evaluation in a representative sample]

The German short version of "Profile of Mood States" (POMS) was psychometrically tested in a representative sample (1009 subjects in Eastern Germany and 1034 subjects in Western Germany). The 35 items (7 point scale, instruction "How you have been feeling during the past 24 hours?") form the following scales: Depression/Anxiety, Fatigue, Vigor, Hostility. The POMS appears to be an internally consistent instrument (Cronbach's Alpha from 0.89 to 0.95). Replication of the postulated 4 factors was limited. There are hints for convergent validity of POMS-Scales using two questions: "1. Over the past two weeks, have you felt down, depressed, or helpless?" and "2. Over the past two weeks, have you felt little interest or pleasure in doing things?"