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Core Affect Self-Report Measure (EmoS-15)

Core Affect Self-Report Measure (EmoS-15) Test

Understand your current emotional tone in about 3 minutes, including positive energy, low mood, and tension. With 15 quick items, you get a clear snapshot that’s easy to track and use in practice.

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Questions: 153 minutes

Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

17886 views

1701 completion

1499 likes

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

11/25

Low-Arousal Negative Affect (LNA)

Measures the intensity of low-energy negative emotions such as sadness, apathy, and reduced drive in the current moment.

Low

Moderate

High

5 – 12: Low | 13 – 18: Moderate | 19 – 25: High

A score of 11 falls in the Low range, suggesting relatively mild low-activation negative affect at the moment.

example score

15/25

Tension (T)

Measures current internal tension and anxious arousal, reflecting stress-related discomfort and worry.

Low tension

Moderate tension

High tension

5 – 11: Low tension | 12 – 18: Moderate tension | 19 – 25: High tension

A score of 15 falls in the Moderate tension range, suggesting a noticeable but not extreme level of internal stress and anxious activation right now.

example score

8/25

High-Activation Positive Affect (HPA)

Measures the intensity of high-energy positive emotions such as enthusiasm, vigor, and alertness in the current moment.

Low

Moderate

High

5 – 12: Low | 13 – 19: Moderate | 20 – 25: High

A score of 8 falls in the Low range, suggesting relatively subdued high-energy positive affect right now (e.g., less enthusiasm or activation).

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Feeling emotionally overwhelmed

41%OF USERS

People who feel confused by their mood use it for a fast read on whether they are in energized positivity, low-energy negativity, or tension right now.

Clients in counseling or coaching

34%OF USERS

People working with a specialist take it to quickly map their current emotional background and track shifts between sessions.

Researchers and study participants

25%OF USERS

People involved in psychological studies use it when time is limited and a brief, standardized snapshot of core affect is needed.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

What You’ll See After You Finish the Test

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly

Your scores across each test scale, translated into plain, usable insights. Not just numbers, but what they actually mean for your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

AI-Powered
Interpretation

A structured, clinically grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation — without alarmist language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how you compare to others. Your scores are placed in a statistical context, showing percentiles and trends based on anonymized platform data to help you understand what`s typical.

Practical
Recommendations

Actionable guidance tailored to your profile. Receive clear, realistic suggestions you can apply immediately — focused on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

AI-Detected
Insights

Key patterns you might not notice on your own. Surfacing subtle connections in your responses that help you better understand what may be driving your current results.

Discuss with
an AI Psychologist

Clarify, reflect, and explore right away. Talk through your outcomes, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue environment.

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you finish the test, your results will be compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of the benchmarks we use to place your score in context.

Negative affect with low activation (Nawla)

Average

Normal range

16.6 — 23.4

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

Tension (T)

Average

10.6

Normal range

7.2 — 14

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

Positive affect with high activation (Pawha)

Average

11.9

Normal range

9.1 — 14.7

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Any questions left?

What does this questionnaire measure?

It measures three core dimensions of current affect: high-energy positive feelings, low-activity negative feelings, and tension. Scores reflect the intensity of each dimension at the time of completion.

How should items be answered?

Rate each statement based on how it feels right now, not how it usually feels. Choose the option that best matches the current moment.

How long does it take, and how many items are included?

The questionnaire includes 15 items and typically takes about 3 minutes to complete.

How should results be interpreted?

Higher scores indicate stronger presence of that affective dimension. Results describe current state and are intended for screening or tracking, not as a standalone diagnosis.

When is it appropriate to use this questionnaire?

It is suitable when a brief snapshot of emotional background is needed, including counseling sessions, repeated monitoring, and research contexts. It can be repeated to observe changes over time.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Self-Report Methodology of Core Affect, EmoS-15 Test

Core Affect Self-Report Measure (EmoS-15) Test

affect emotional state

This measure assesses current core affect through brief self-report ratings of emotional experience. The Core Affect Self-Report Measure (EmoS-15) is intended to provide a snapshot of momentary affective tone along basic dimensions that can be useful for clinical monitoring and research applications.

The instrument includes 15 items and typically takes about 3 minutes to complete. Developed by James A. Russell, the Core Affect Self-Report Measure (EmoS-15) can be administered repeatedly to track short-term changes in affect, with interpretation generally focusing on the pattern and relative intensity of endorsed affective states.

Author: James A. Russell

Literature: Russell, J. A. Core affect and the psychological construction of emotion. Psychological Review. 2003.

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