Positive and negative affectivity in children: Confirmatory factor analysis of a two-factor model and its relation to symptoms of anxiety and depression

The positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) framework that is embodie d in the tripartite model of anxiety and depression has proved useful with adult populations; however, there is as yet little investigation with child ren concerning either the measurement of PA and NA or the relation between PA and NA and levels of adjustment. A confirmatory factor analysis was used in this study to examine the structure of self-reported affect and its rel ation to depressive and anxious symptoms in school children (4th to 11th gr ade). Results supported a 2-factor orthogonal model that was invariant acro ss age and sex. Support for the expected pattern of relations between NA an d PA with symptoms of depression and anxiety was strong for the older sampl e (M = 14.2 years) but weaker for the younger sample (M = 10.3 years). Resu lts also provide preliminary support for the reliability and validity of th e Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for children.