Informing the Classification of Positive Emotional Experiences: A Multisample Examination of Hierarchical Models of Positive Emotionality

Abstract

Despite being multifaceted in nature, positive emotional (PE) experiences often are studied using only global PE ratings, and measures assessing more specific PE facets do not converge in their assessment approaches. To address these issues, we examined hierarchical factor structures of ratings of positive emotionality, which reflect propensities for experiencing PE, in both online community adult (N = 375) and undergraduate (N = 447) samples. Preregistered analyses indicated (a) a basic distinction between tendencies to experience social affection and other PE types, and that (b) PE ratings define as many as four replicable factors of Joviality, Social Affection, Serenity, and Attentiveness. These PE dimensions also showed divergent personality and psychopathology correlates in some ways. Collectively, these results highlight the need to consider distinct PE facets in addition to global PE ratings when assessing PE, as well as the need for additional research clarifying PE structure at different levels of abstraction.