Testing the reliability and validity of the scales for experiencing emotion with a Canadian sample.

Abstract

The SEE, derived from person-centered theory of personality, was originally developed and tested with a German sample. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the Scales for Experiencing Emotion (SEE: Behr & Becker, 2002) with a Canadian sample, and to test the relationship between Rogers' (1951) theory of emotional functioning as measured by the SEE and various indices of mental health. The current study provided support for the scale. Results show that the SEE has good overall reliability and excellent validity and is related in expected ways to other measures of personality and emotional functioning. The Canadian sample had lower scores than the German study on all the subscales. However the greatest differences were that the Canadian sample used their imaginations and dreams less to understand and clarify their emotions, had less need to hide their emotions from others, and were less aware of their feelings than participants in the German sample. The limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved). (journal abstract)