The factor structure of the profile of mood states (POMS) and its relationship to occupational lead exposure
Lindgren, Karen N. ; Masten, Valerie L. ; Tiburzi, Michael J. ; Ford, D. Patrick ; Bleecker, Margit L.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
1999
41
1
3-10
determination in blood ; exposure tests ; lead ; long term exposure ; methodology ; nervous function tests ; neurotoxic effects
Chemicals
English
The Profile of Mood States (POMS) is an instrument composed of six mood scales that were developed using clinical populations. 467 current and retired lead-smelter workers completed the POMS, and a factor analysis was performed on the individual items. Factor analysis produced one factor, labelled "general distress", that was composed mainly of items from five of the six POMS subscales (anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, and tension) and a second factor labelled "psychological adjustment". Integrated blood lead level, a measure of cumulative lead exposure that included prior high exposure, was significantly related to the POMS "general distress" factor, while a current blood lead level that was relatively low was unrelated. As expected, POMS psychological adjustment was not related to lead exposure. Factor analysis did not support the use of six separate POMS subscales in this occupational population.
Paper
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