The Stellenbosch Mood Scale: a dual-language measure of mood

Abstract

[Abstract]: The present study developed and provided initial validation statistics for the Stellenbosch Mood Scale (STEMS), a dual-language (Afrikaans and English) version of the Profile of Mood States-Adolescents (POMS-A: Terry, Lane, Lane, & Keohane, 1999). Following translation of the POMS-A into Afrikaans using the translation-back translation method, the STEMS was administered to 463 South African athletes (224 males, 239 females; age: range = 18-36 yr. M = 20.3 yr., SD = 1.8 yr.) Confirmatory factor analysis provided support for a 24-item, six-factor measurement model using both independent and multi-sample analyses. The measurement model remained invariant across language groups. Gender differences in mood responses were found. Females reported higher tension and fatigue and lower anger than males. The STEMS showed promising psychometric properties and may have several applications among both Afrikaans- and English-speaking groups in South Africa.