POMS Administration Protocol
Objective:
To evaluate an individual's global and specific emotional state at a precise moment.
Required Equipment:
- The printed POMS questionnaire (short or long version as needed).
- A pen.
- A quiet space to complete the questionnaire without interruption.
Procedure:
Explanation to the participant:
"This questionnaire aims to evaluate your current emotional state. Please answer honestly based on how you feel right now (or over the requested period: today, this week, etc.). There are no right or wrong answers."
Instructions:
- The participant must read each word or expression (e.g., "tired", "nervous", "full of energy").
- They must rate how much they feel this way right now on a standard scale:
0 = Not at all
1 = A little
2 = Moderately
3 = Quite a bit
4 = Extremely
Duration:
Completing the POMS takes about 5 to 10 minutes depending on the version.
- Collecting responses: After completion, collect the questionnaire for analysis.
- Results analysis: Calculate the scores for each dimension:
Add the responses corresponding to the items of each subscale:
- Tension-Anxiety
- Depression-Dejection
- Anger-Hostility
- Vigor-Activity
- Fatigue-Inertia
- Confusion-Bewilderment
TMD (Total Mood Disturbance) Calculation:
TMD = (Tension + Depression + Anger + Fatigue + Confusion) - Vigor
Interpretation:
- A high TMD score = negative emotional state.
- A low or negative TMD score = positive emotional state.
Additional Tips:
- Always use the same time of day for evaluation if making comparisons across multiple measurements.
- Adapt the instructions if necessary (e.g., evaluate "during competition", "over the past week", etc.).
- In a sports context, integrate the POMS before and after major competitions to better understand the psychological impact.