Normative Scores and Factor Structure of the Profile of Mood States for Women Seeking Prenatal Diagnosis for Advanced Maternal Age

Abstract

A large sample of pregnant women ( n = 705) was given the monopolar version of the Profile of Mood States (POMS) upon being counseled for prenatal diagnosis with the indication of advanced maternal age. Raw POMS scores were converted to standardized scores to develop relevant norms for the assessment of mood in these and other pregnant women who are demographically and obstetrically comparable. Vigor and Fatigue scores for this sample were similar to those published as norms for female psychiatric outpatients. Scores on all other POMS subscales Copyright (c)) 1990 Educational and Psychological Measurement, Inc. indicated low levels of mood disturbance. A factor analysis revealed seven correlated factors interpreted as (a) Depression, (b) Vigor, (c) Sociability, (d) Being Relaxed-Unafraid, (e) Not Being Angry or Irritable, (f) Negative Regard for Self and Others, and (g) Being Distracted. Differences between the presently obtained factor structure and the structures reported in the POMS manual are discussed.