The psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Perth emotional reactivity scale-short form

Emotional reactivity is an important construct for psychiatry and psychology in understanding psychopathology. Perth Emotional Reactivity Scale-Short Form (PERS-S) is an 18-item tool that can measure emotional reactivity through both positive and negative emotions. This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the short form of the Perth Emotional Reactivity scale among university students.

The Persian version of the PERS-S was produced via forward translation, reconciliation, and back translation. The statistical population of the study was all students enrolling Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran, in 2021, among which 331 students were selected by the convenience sampling method and completed a set of scales, including the PERS-S, Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure- Short-Form, State Self-Compassion Scale-Long form (SSCS-L), and State Self-Compassion Scale-short form (SSCS-S). Internal consistency was used for the reliability of the PERS-S and confirmatory factor analysis; convergent validity and divergent validity were used to assess the validity. Data analysis was performed with SPSS software version 23 and LISREL 8.8. A significant level was considered 0.05 in the study (P<0.05).

The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed that the six-factor (χ²/df = 2.75; CFI = 0.97; NFI = 0.95; NNFI = 0.96; RMSEA = 0.07; SRMR = 0.06) and two-factor (χ²/df = 3.51; CFI = 0.95; NFI = 0.93; NNFI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.08; SRMR = 0.08) structure of PERS-S has a good fit. The interpersonal sensitivity was positively correlated with general negative reactivity and negatively correlated with general positive reactivity. The SSCS-L and SSCS-S are negatively correlated with general negative reactivity and positively correlated with general positive reactivity, indicating appropriate convergent and divergent validity. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the general positive reactivity, general negative reactivity, positive activation, positive intensity, positive duration, negative activation, negative intensity, and negative duration were 0.885, 0.883, 0.75, 0.75, 0.74, 0.65, 0.78, and 0.76, respectively.

The Persian version of the PERS-S showed good validity and reliability for assessing emotional reactivity in a nonclinical sample of students. The PERS-S is a suitable scale for research and clinical work, and the results of this research can complement the cross-cultural literature of this tool. The use of PERS-S can provide the development of intervention methods and the examination of disorder-specific emotional response profiles.