Profile of Mood States: the factors and their physiological correlates

Spontaneously occurring mood states and various physiological indices were evaluated on three occasions in a group of eight healthy males. Results reveal that significant positive correlations exist among five of the six factors comprising the Profile of Mood States (POMS). This finding is related to previous research on the POMS and varied methodologies utilized in those reports. Reliable positive correlations of the POMS factors Depression and Tension with heart rate and diastolic blood pressure were obtained. The Anger factor of the POMS also correlated positively and significantly with heart rate. These findings are discussed in terms of the relationship between POMS factors and anxiety.