Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 February 2012
A focus on “positive psychology” in nonclinical populations provides an opportunity to improve psychological wellbeing for both community and clinical samples. Identification and assessment of stimuli associated with positive affect may be of particular value for promoting wellbeing. This was the purpose of the current study. Based on self-reports of 157 children (8 to 11 years), a Positive Affect Schedule for Youth (PAS-Y) was developed. This measure was subsequently psychometrically evaluated with a sample of 320 children. Demonstrating construct validity, the PAS-Y was found to factor into two scales comprising a Natural stimuli factor and a Non-natural stimuli factor. Convergent validity and divergent validity were demonstrated through significant associations with positive affect and no associations with negative affect, respectively. Internal consistency and split-half reliability analyses demonstrated good reliability for the PAS-Y. It was concluded that the PAS-Y provides a valid and reliable measure for the assessment of positive affect experiences in youth.