The role of affective constructs in human behavior in general, and health behavior in particular, is recapturing the attention of researchers. Affect, mood, and emotion are again considered powerful motives behind dietary choices, physical activity participation, cigarette smoking, alcohol over-consumption, and drug abuse. However, researchers entering the fray must confront a vast and confusing theoretical and technical literature. The enormity of this challenge is reflected in numerous problems plaguing recent studies, from selecting measures without offering a rationale, to interchanging terms that are routinely misconstrued. The Measurement of Affect, Mood, and Emotion cuts through the jargon, clarifies controversies, and proposes a sound three-tiered system for selecting measures that can rectify past mistakes and accelerate future progress. Panteleimon Ekkekakis offers an accessible and comprehensive guidebook of great value to academic researchers and postgraduate students in the fields of psychology, behavioral and preventive medicine, behavioral nutrition, exercise science, and public health.

‘… a powerful plea for a qualitative shift in the way research is conducted. It is a wise, thoughtful, and much needed guidebook for the transition from a prescientific to a scientific paradigm. If researchers read this book, they will be convinced, they will change their behavior, and their research will advance. I’m often asked to recommend a measure for emotion or mood, and I never have a simple answer. Now I do: read Ekkekakis.’

James A. Russell - Boston College, from the Foreword

‘What an impressive piece of writing! Authoritative, thought-provoking, essential reading for all those interested in physical activity and mental health. Dr Ekkekakis always provides insightful commentaries and critiques, and this is no exception. It will certainly move this research field forward.’

Stuart Biddle - Loughborough University

‘Much has been written about the acute effects of exercise on affect, mood and emotion, led by Paddy Ekkekakis over the past 10 years. This has changed the precision of measurement and understanding across the field. This book brings together this literature like no other book, and extends the relevance for anyone working in the field of health behaviour research.’

Adrian Taylor - Chair in Exercise and Health Psychology, University of Exeter

‘This definitive book on measurement of affect, mood, and emotion is necessary reading for all scientists seeking to employ self-report assessments of these central concepts.’

Robert E. Thayer - California State University, Long Beach and author of The Biopsychology of Mood and Arousal, The Origin of Everyday Moods and Calm Energy

‘In a clear and engaging style, this book brings the distinctions between and measurement of the constructs in this content area together in one place in a way that is quite original and very much needed.’

Toni Yancey - Co-Director, UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health

'This manual is written for health-behavioural researchers, but it should be required reading for all manner of researchers: professors, students, practitioners in all fields of enquiry … Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals, including those in technical programs.'

D. Sydiaha Source: Choice

'Ekkekakis takes us on tour of his dissection of research within the field of affect, mood, and emotion through this short, yet precise text. Akin to the bag of Mary Poppins, this book offers a simple premise; that of exploring the limitations and pitfalls of oft-cited measurement tools, yet inside we are confronted by a wealth of information, formulated into an engaging and easy-to-follow text.'

Dean Fido Source: The Psychologist

'The engaging style of writing makes this potentially cumbersome and diffuse topic much more interesting and understandable. Although billed as a guidebook for junior investigators, it would be useful to anyone who would like to quickly gain a critical overview of these issues and take a more thoughtful approach to his or her own work in the study of mood, affect, and emotion as they relate to health behaviors.'

Source: PsycCRITIQUES