A multilevel Multitrait–Multimethod Analysis of Self– and Peer–Reported Daily Affective Experiences

Abstract

We examined the psychometric properties of an experience–sampling measure of affect (PANAS) using data from self– and peer reports. A multivariate multilevel model was used to assess the reliability of the latent PANAS scales at the within– and between–person level. Findings suggest satisfying internal consistencies for self– and peer reports of affective experiences at both levels of analysis. Convergent and discriminant validity of the two affect scales were examined by means of a multilevel multitrait–multimethod approach (MLM–MTMM) indicating distinct findings at the within– and between–person level. These findings provide further insights into the structural relations between the two PANAS scales: Whereas positive and negative affect were unrelated at the between–person level; they were negatively correlated at the within–person level. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.