ALS
Affective Lability Scale (ALS)
The ALS is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure affective lability, that is, the tendency to experience rapid, marked mood shifts that are difficult to regulate. It explores the frequency and intensity of emotional swings, particularly between states such as anxiety, sadness, anger, and elevated mood. The ALS is used in clinical practice and research to document emotional instability, particularly in personality disorders, certain mood disorders, and emotion dysregulation problems. It is not a diagnostic tool on its own, but it provides a useful measure of the severity of affective lability and its clinical impact.
- Number of questions
- 54 questions
- Estimated duration
- 10 minutes
- Language
- English
- Original name
- Affective Lability Scale
- Target audience
- Adults
- Authors
- Philip D. Harvey, Barbara R. Greenberg, Mark R. Serper (1989)
- Category
- Mood disorders, Emotion regulation
Scoring & interpretation
Each item is rated on a 4-point Likert-type scale, from 0 to 3, according to how descriptive the statement is. The total score is the sum of the items; subscores can also be calculated for the dimensions defined by the version used. A high score indicates greater emotional instability and more frequent or more intense mood changes. There is no universal diagnostic cutoff; interpretation should be based on the available norms, the clinical context, and a comprehensive assessment.
Available alternatives
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