A population approach to the study of emotion: diurnal rhythms of a working day examined with the Day Reconstruction Method

Emotion. 2006 Feb;6(1):139-49. doi: 10.1037/1528-3542.6.1.139.

Abstract

To date, diurnal rhythms of emotions have been studied with real-time data collection methods mostly in relatively small samples. The Day Reconstruction Method (DRM), a new survey instrument that reconstructs the emotions of a day, is examined as a method for enabling large-scale investigations of rhythms. Diurnal cycles were observed for 12 emotion adjectives in 909 women over a working day. Bimodal patterns with peaks at noon and evenings were detected for positive emotions; peaks in negative emotions were found at mid-morning and mid-afternoon. A V-shaped pattern was found for tired and an inverted U-shaped pattern for competent. Several diurnal patterns from prior studies were replicated. The DRM appears to be a useful tool for the study of emotions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Circadian Rhythm*
  • Emotions*
  • Fatigue / psychology
  • Female
  • Human Activities / psychology
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Sample Size
  • Task Performance and Analysis
  • Texas
  • Women, Working / psychology*