Validation of the Measure of Emotions by Music (MEM)

Abstract

If music connects to our most resonant emotional strings, why have not we used it to assess emotions? Our goal was to develop and validate the Measure of Emotions by Music (MEM). A total of 280 participants were randomly assigned to MEM Condition 1 (excerpts) or MEM Condition 2 (excerpts and adjectives). All participants responded to the PANAS-X. The internal consistency (α) of the MEM subscales (Happy, Sad, Scary, Peaceful) was in acceptable-to-strong range and similar to the PANAS-X. Construct validity of the MEM illustrated cohesive convergence to the PANAS-X. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the validity of a four-factor solution, as intended in the MEM. Split-half reliability shows good fidelity. A total of 69% of the respondents mentioned a preference for the MEM. The MEM demonstrates very good psychometric characteristics, seems to be an appreciated way to measure emotional states and may represent an interesting alternative for clinical groups having difficulties to identify their emotion with words.