Sexual dysfunction and related factors in adult males with familial Mediterranean fever.

Core affect refers to a basic, consciously experienced feeling state in the present moment. It is commonly understood as a neurophysiological state that gives rise to fundamental affective experiences, such as feeling good or bad, energized or fatigued. According to the circumplex model of affect, core affect can be described along two independent dimensions: valence (pleasant-unpleasant) and activation (high-low arousal). The horizontal axis (valence) reflects the pleasentness or unpleasantness of an experience, whereas the vertical axis (activation) indicates the level of physiological or psychological arousal, that is, the degree of readiness for action or engagement. Core affect is considered to underlie more complex emotional experiences. For instance, basic affective states such as calmness or excitement may contribute to more elaborated emotions, such as pride. What distinguishes core affect from more complex emotions is its relatively limited reliance on cognitive appraisal and its direct expression in terms of pleasure and activation. More complex emotions, such as confusion, typically involve more extensive cognitive processing. Thus, emotional experiences can be understood as configurations of valence and activation, or as varying degrees along these two dimensions. The circumplex model, grounded in both theoretical reasoninng and empirical research, provides a useful framework for classifying affective states and reflects how individuals typically describe their own and others’ emotional experiences. Previous research has shown that patterns of brain activity correspond to emotions classified along valence and arousal dimensions. For instance, joy and excitement are typically characterized by high arousal and positive valence. At the same time, the model distinguishes broadly between positive and negative affective states. However, the circumplex model also has limitations. The arousal dimension can be difficult to assess, particularly in the case of ambivalent emotions or low-arousal states, where differences in intensity may complicate emotional differentiation. Despite these challenges, the circumplex model remains widely accepted. Alternative models, such as the positive-negative affect model and the positive-negative activation model, also provide meaningful representations of affect. Nevertheless, recent work emphasizes the importance of integrating both valence and arousal when assessing complex emotional experiences. Empirical studies further support the utility of the valence-arousal framework in predicting outcomes such as task-switching performance, affective priming, performance satisfaction, and emotion regulation. In addition, theoretical models such as the pathways to health model and the broaden-and-build theory suggest that activities promoting positive emotions may improve coping, physical health, and well-being. Consistent with this view, research has shown a positive association between positive affect and well-being, as well as a negative association between negative affect and health outcomes. In light of the European Union’s strategic priorities, including the prevention of mental health disorders and the promotion of well-being to sustain work ability, there is a growing need for tools to assess core affective states in the workplace across countries. Assessing core affect at work is important for evaluating person-job fit, as job-related affective well-being is a key indicator of employee mental health.