GB2462449A

GB2462449A - System and method for mood assessment

Info

Publication number: GB2462449A
Application number: GB0814394A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jon Michael Cousins
Original assignee: GREENCANNON Ltd
Current assignee: GREENCANNON Ltd
Priority date: 2008-08-07
Filing date: 2008-08-07
Publication date: 2010-02-10
Also published as: GB0814394D0

Abstract

A system and method, for assessing and/or monitoring the mental state or mood of an individual comprises a first and second plurality of predetermined mood indicator descriptors. An individual associates a numerical value, based upon a predetermined scale, relating to the applicability of each mood indicator descriptor to the mental state of the individual. The numerical values are combined to derive first and second combined numerical assessment values for both the first and second pluralities of mood indicators. A single assessment score based upon a non-linear correlation of the first and second combined numerical assessment values is derived, preferably using a look up table. The single assessment score is then recorded and communicated to a third party. The score may be plotted on a graph over time. The system preferably uses a plurality of cards (10) with the mood indicator descriptors and numerical values printed at different locations on them. The cards (10) are oriented by a user according to the appropriate numerical value relating to the mood indicator on the card to arrive at the combined score. A second invention relates to the use of cards (10) and the orientation of them to derive a score for use in any assessment.

Description

A SYSTEM AND TOOL FOR MONITORING A MENTAL STATE OR MOOD

The present invention relates to a system, or tool, and a method for monitoring a mental state, in particular a mood. The systems and method may then be used to alter and over time improve an individual's mood. A separate, although related aspect of the invention relates to a system and method for generating an assessment and score from multiple attributes and individual assessments and scores. This may be used in the above system, but may also be used in other applications, in particular for example for collating and assessing relevant responses to a questionnaire.

There are many experts and systems that offer people advice on improving their mood and general sense of mental wellbeing. However to be able to initially assess someone's mood, and indeed see if any changes have an effect, in particular to perhaps improve a person's mood, there needs to be an objective means of assessing a person's mood.

Psychologists have investigated and developed various systems and methods for assessing an individual's mood. A person's mood can have a dramatic effect on them and how they behave. Such assessments tend to be primarily based upon interviews with, and questioning of an individual. Based upon their response a mental health professional fonns a view of a person's mood based on their experience, training and scientific theories or methodologies. One particular theory and methodology for assessing an individual's mental state, and mood, is the PANAS (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), a means for measuring two dominant dimensions of mood. This is described in a paper entitled "Development and Validation of Brief Measures of Positive and Negative Affect: The PANAS Scales", by David Watson, Lee Anna Clark and Auke Tellegen (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology; 1988, Vol 54, No. 6, 1063- 1070). This instrument has been widely used and is further described in "Authentic Happiness" by Martin E. P. Seligman; Nicholas Brealey Publishing 2003, ISBN 1-85788-329-2.

The PANAS methodology uses twenty specific PANAS terms or mood indicator adjectives, for example alert', excited', upset', scared') which describe different F feelings and emotions. The twenty terms, based on prior analysis and research, are divided into and relate to two primary mood dimensions, namely a Positive Affect (PA), and a Negative Affect (NA) which are used as the key variables in determining a person's overall mood and mental state. While PA and NA may intuitively be seen as opposites they are not strictly so. PA (but not NA) is related to mental energy and positive engagement and reflects the extent to which a person feels enthusiastic, active and alert.

NA (but not PA) is a general measure of subjective distress and unpleasurable engagement that subsumes a variety of mood states, including anger, contempt, disgust, guilt, fear and nervousness. An individual is asked how much each term applies to their feelings and mood at a particular time, on a scale (I (very slightly or not at all) to 5 (extremely)). Based on the scores against each of the individual twenty tenns, grouped in terms of PA and NA, two separate results for a person's PA and NA are derived. These may then be used by an experienced mental health professional in conjunction with other factors, to gain an insight into a person's mood.

While the PANAS system and methodology has been widely validated and used, the system is somewhat cumbersome, and the results depend upon an expert's interpretation. In particular, analysis of the two separate scores is complex and non linear with the two factors not being polar opposites, and there being a complex relationship between them. The test is usually also administered to a patient only once or infrequently, mainly due to its cumbersome nature and the need for an expert's interpretation. In addition in order to assess and improve someone's mental wellbeing it is important to provide an as objective a test as possible. Indeed it is perhaps important to reduce the subjective input of the expert in providing an assessment of mood, so as to give the expert a more objective tool to work with when seeking to improve a person's mood.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved system and method, as well as a tool for assessing and perhaps improving an individual's mental state or mood, which is perhaps more objective, and simple, and addresses problems with the existing systems and methods and/or provides an alternative to existing arrangements. It is also desirable, in a related aspect, to provide an improved system, tool, and method for generating an assessment and score from multiple attributes and individual assessments and scores.

In particular and in accordance with the invention, it has been found that if a simple effective and more objective, system and tool, based on the PANAS methodology could be developed, then an individual could assess their own mood on a more regular, preferably daily, basis. If this is then recorded over a period of time, changes in mood could be identified and perhaps associated by an individual with significant daily events.

In addition it has been found that the very act of an individual regularly analyzing their mood can have a positive effect in its own right. Moreover it has been found that if such regular mood assessments are then communicated to a third party or parties, this too can be beneficial, giving the individual (at least the impression) that someone else is taking an interest in them, which can then improve an individual's mood. This psychological phenomenon is known as the Hawthorne Effect. These benefits however all require that there is a simple, effective and objective test that can be easily deployed to assess an individual's mood. More specifically, and contrary to established theory, it has been found that the individual PA and NA scores, which were previously thought to be unrelated to each other, can indeed be somewhat combined to arrive at a single score or rating and useluil mood indicator. This greatly simplifies the assessment and thereby allows the development and provision of a suitable simple and effective objective test, system, and tool for assuming and monitoring a person's mood.

According to the present invention there are therefore provided systems and methods as described in the accompanying claims.

In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a system for assessing and/or monitoring a mental state or mood of an individual. The system comprises a first plurality of predetermined mood indicators (or mood indicator descriptors), describing and/or relating to said mood indicators and a second plurality of predetermined mood indicators.

There is a means for an individual to associate a numerical value, based upon a predetermined scale, relating the applicability of each mood indicator to the present mental state of an individual, and to combine said numerical values to derive a first combined numerical assessment value for the first plurality of mood indicators, and a second combined numerical assessment value for the second plurality of mood indicators.

The system further includes a means to determine a single assessment score or rating based upon a non-linear conelation of said first and second combined numerical assessment values to derive a single assessment rating, a means to record said single assessment rating; and a means to communicate said single assessment score to a third party.

The first plurality of mood indicators preferably relate to a first dominant dimension of mental wellbeing, and the second plurality of mood indicators relate to a second, different dominant dimension of mental wellbeing. More preferably the first plurality of mood indicators relate to a positive mood affect (PA), and the second plurality of mood indicators relate to a negative mood affect (NA).

The means to determine a single assessment score preferably comprises a look-up table in which each combination of said first and second combined numerical assessment values is provided with a conesponding single assessment score.

The means to record said single assessment rating preferably comprises a graph on which the single assessment ratings are plotted over time.

In one preferred embodiment the system comprises a plurality of cards, each card associated with a particular mood indicator. Numerical values of the scale may be provided on the cards in different locations and/or orientations such that each card can be oriented to present a selected numerical value. In particular each card has a front and reverse, and a different numerical value is provided on the front and reverse. Each card has a head and foot, and a different numerical value may be provided on the head and foot. The means for an individual to associate a numerical value may then comprise orienting the cards, and combining the indicated similarly oriented displayed values.

The means to communicate said single assessment rating may comprise a F computer system. The means to communicate said single assessment rating to a third party may comprise an email message, andlor a text message sent to a mobile device.

The system may comprise a computer programmed to present descriptors or terms describing and relating to each mood indicator and record a selected score associated with each descriptor and mood indicator, calculate the first and combined numerical assessment value, and detennine a single assessment rating based upon a non-linear correlation of said first and second combined numerical assessment values.

In another aspect of an embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for assessing andlor monitoring a mental state or mood of an individual; the method comprising the following steps: a) providing a first plurality of predetermined mood indicators; b) providing a second plurality of predetermined mood indicators; c) associating a numerical value, based upon a predetermined scale, relating the applicability of the mood indicator to the mental state of an individual, for each mood indicator; d) combining said numerical values relating to said first plurality of mood indicators to derive a first combined numerical assessment value for the first plurality of mood indicators; e) combining said numerical values relating to said second plurality of mood indicators to derive a second combined numerical assessment value for the second plurality of mood indicators; 1) determining a single assessment rating based upon a non-linear correlation of said first and second combined numerical assessment values; g) recording the single assessment rating; h) communicating the single assessment rating to a third party; and i) periodically repeating the steps a) to h).

Advantageously this system and method provide a technical means for deriving objectively, measuring, tracking, and sharing a mood. They also provide a more objective

S

assessment and means of monitoring, and may also have a positive effect on a person's mood improving their overall mental wellbeing.

It has also been found that the simple system for scoring the individual mood characteristics to develop a single overall score or rating, can also have wider application, in providing other analyses, unrelated to mood, and may be more widely used. Therefore in a further aspect of the invention there is provided a system for generating a combined assessment from multiple attributes and individual assessments and scores, the system comprising a plurality of cards, each card associated with a particular attribute or assessment, and wherein numerical values relating to each attribute or assessment are provided on the cards in different locations and/or orientations such that each card can be oriented to present a selected numerical value. The presented indicated displayed values of the oriented cards may be combined to provide a combined value for the plurality of cards.

There may also be provided in a yet frurther aspect a related method for generating a combined assessment from multiple attributes and individual assessments and scores.

The method comprises: providing a plurality of cards, associating each card with a particular attribute or assessment; providing numerical values relating to each attribute or assessment on the cards in different locations and/or orientations such that each card can be oriented to present a selected numerical value; and orienting the cards to indicate the particular value or assessment associated with the attribute or assessment related to the card.

The method may further comprise orienting the cards, and combining the indicated similarly oriented displayed values to provide a single combined value of the plurality of cards This provides a simple effective technical means to collate in a simple manner responses to a series of questions and derive a single objective collective technical assessment.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following figures in which: Figure 1 is an illustration of the front and reverse of the twenty mood indicator cards of an embodiment of the invention; S Figure 2 is an illustration of the graphical plotting of the mood rating; Figure 3 is an illustration of the assessment matrix table used to correlate the mood indicator scores to obtain the mood score, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a schematic illustration showing the sharing of the mood rating using a computer, the internet and br a mobile phone; and Figure 5 is an illustration of a sample email message communicating the mood score.

The present invention is based upon and is a development of the Positive And Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) test described in a paper entitled "Development and Validation of Brief Measures of Positive and Negative Affect: The PANAS Scales", by David Watson, Lee Anna Clark and Auke Tellegen (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology; 1988, Vol 54, No. 6, 1063-1070). This has been widely used and is thrther described in "Authentic Happiness" by Martin E. P. Seligman; Nicholas Brealey Publishing 2003, ISBN 1-85788-329-2. This is briefly described above.

The PANAS methodology uses the twenty adjectives and mood indicator terms or indicator adjectives or descriptors which describe different feelings and emotions. These terms are divided into and relate to two primary mood dimensions, namely a Positive Affect (PA), and a Negative Affect (NA) which relate to the key variable in determining a person's overall mood and mental state. In the PANAS methodology an individual is asked to rate how much each terni applies to their feelings, and mood at a particular time, on a scale (1 (very slightly or not at all) to 5 (extremely)). Based on the scores against each of the individual twenty terms, grouped in terms of PA and NA, two separate scores for a person's PA and NA are derived. These may then be used by an experienced mental health professional, in conjunction with other factors, to gain an insight into a person's mood.

Whilst PA and NA might seem intuitively to be opposites, Watson, Clark and Tellegen in fact demonstrated that the two dimensions are largely independent of each other. PA can be considered in very simple terms as mental energy', while NA could be described as distress'. An individual could therefore simultaneously score high or low on either scale such that: High PAILow NA: Lots of energy, little distress = Excited Low PAILow NA: Little energy, little distress = Empty High PAIHigh NA: Lots of energy, lots of distress = Overwhelmed Low PAIHigh NA: Little energy, lots of distress Depressed The present invention, and improved system and method is based upon this basic PANAS methodology. A particular preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described giving an indication of the improved system and tool developed. It will however be appreciated that this improved system can be embodied in a number of other ways, for example in a computerized system, or other means.

In a preferred simple embodiment of the present invention the same, predetermined twenty adjectives and mood indicator terms, or indicators, which describe different feelings and emotional factors are used. Each of these tenns are printed on one of a pack of twenty playing cards 10. Each playing card 10 features one of the mood indicator adjective terms from the following list: Red Blue Active Afraid Alert Ashamed Attentive Distressed Determined Guilty * Enthusiastic Hostile

Excited Irritable

Tnspircd Jittery Interested Nervous Proud Scared Strong Upset The various mood indicators described by these terms are divided and classified into Positive Affect (PA) indicators, represented by the red cards, and Negative Affect (NA) indicators represented by the blue cards, and as shown above. This is based upon prior research and the relative affect each of the described indicators and emotions have on the respective PA and NA.

The printing on the cards 10 is shown in figure 1, which shows the front and reverse of each of the cards 10. As shown in figure 1, any given playing card displays its adjective and the mood indicator term four times. In order to make the test as pleasant to take as possible, for aesthetic purposes each card 10 may feature a different abstract image (not shown), perhaps representing the appropriate mood indicator. The mood indicator term appears at both short ends of both the front and reverse of the card 10, such that it will read the right way up no matter how the card 10 is oriented, or which side of the card 10 faces the observer. The four appearances of the adjective differ only in that they are labeled with the numbers 0, 1, 2 or 3 to enable scoring and further assessment and analysis, as will be described later.

Before the test is taken, the cards 10 are to be shuffled, some cards 10 are to be rotated end-to-end, and others are to be flipped back-to-front, so that the pack is presented in a random order in all these three dimensions'. This ensures that the individual concentrates on the particular mood indicator term, and that any influences of the order of presentation are eliminated.

Taking the test involves an individual looking at each of the twenty cards 10 in turn, and assessing how that indicator applies to their feelings, and mood at that particular time, on a scale of: 0 -Very slightly or not at all 1 -Alittle 2 -Quite a bit 3 -Extremely The individual then orients the respective card 10 in the stack such that the number-label reflecting how the player feels at that moment in time is face up, and to the head of the card as observed by the player. For example if the first card 10 is the Inspired' one, and the individual feels Quite a bit' inspired, that card would be placed as the first in a stack with its 2' label face up and to the head of the card 10 from the point of view of the individual. Then the next card 10 is taken and the process is repeated for all twenty cards 10.

Of course in other embodiments a different scale with more or less steps may be used. In such a case the values of the scale may need to be differently printed. For example if there are only two points/values in the scale then the cards may only need to have values on the respective front and reverse, or head and foot. Similarly if there are more points in the scale then other values in the scale could be printed on the side/edge of the card to provide further variations. Alternatively to rectangular shaped cards, triangular, or other shaped, pentagonal, hexagonal shaped cards could be used to provide further orientations and arrangements to indicate a particular score'.

After going through all twenty cards 10, the player will be left with a stack of cards 10 oriented according to their assessment of their respective feelings in relation to the mood indicator terms and overall feelings, with the score indicated at the head front of the cards 10 in the stack displaying the score (0-3) indicative of how the individual is currently feeling with regard to all the twenty adjectives and indicators. The cards 10 in the stack, while preserving their orientation, can then be divided into two suits', either red or blue, according to the colour of a panel on which each adjective is printed. These suits provide the means by which the test is scored. The twenty cards must be divided into a pile of blues and another of reds.

The appropriate scores are indicated at the head front of the cards 10 and corresponding to the person's assessment of their respective feelings and in relation to the mood indicators on the cards 10 in each pile are then added together to arrive at a blue' total and a red' total. These totals will be between 0 and 30, and relate to (but due to the different scoring range are slitly different from) the more conventional PA and NA scores of the PANAS methodology.

In accordance with an aspect of the improvement provided by the present invention it was considered desirable to leave an individual (the man on the street) with a single overall score or rating so that they could say, for instance, that they were a +7 today, rather than grappling with the less meaningful concept of having a PA of 23 and an NA of 5. This would greatly simplify the system and assessment. However since PA and NA are not simply opposites, and are largely independent of each other it is not possible to simply subtract NA from PA to arrive at an overall score or rating. A more complex correlation is needed. Accordingly a look-up table 12, as shown in figure 3 has been developed providing a correlation and link between the individual PA (Red) and NA (Blue) scores determined. This table 12 is based upon prior evaluation and assessment of the respective combination of scores. This table 12 shows blue totals along its top, horizontal, row and red totals along its left, vertical, column. By finding the cell in the table 12 corresponding to the individual blue and red totals, the player obtains an overall mood score or rating between -10 and +10. It will be appreciated that the look-up table 12, and predetermined correlation, could be achieved in other ways, for example, within a computerized system in other embodiments. The values assigned may also be modified.

Indeed the predetennined relationship could be derived from a suitable algorithm and formulas. However such a look-up table and correlation provides a particularly simple and effective means to combine the non linearly related scores and derive a single mood rating.

In addition to an individual score or rating, as shown in figure 3 the table 12 is divided up into nine separate regions 14a-i, based on the separate red (PA) and blue (NA) scores. Each of these regions I 4a-i is ascribed a one-word descriptor summarizing the overall mood attributable to such an overall score and its underpinning PA and NA scores indicating to a person how they are currently likely to be feeling, all things considered.

The exact regions i4a-i may vary. The descriptors used may also vary but in this embodiment are: Blue Total Low Mild High Low Empty Numb Depressed Mid Relaxed Discontented Anxious High Excited Irritable Overwhelmed These descriptors may be further amplified by suitably expanded details of such a mood characteristic, to give a more detailed explanation of a particular mental state.

Accordingly, by the position in which an individual's particular rating lies in the table, an individual can obtain a specific mood rating (-10 to +10) and then an objective assessment ( excited', depressed') based on that rating of their mood at that time.

The overall mood rating is then preferably plotted on the graph 16, as shown in figure 2, under the appropriate day, such that as the days go by, it is possible to join the dots together to form a line 18 chart showing fluctuations in mood. This then enables an individual to track, and visualize changes in their mood. In a preferred embodiment the blank graphs 16 may be provided in a booklet comprising twelve double page spreads representing the months of the year from January to December. On each spread is printed a blank graph 16, with the days of the month labeled horizontally, the ratings from -10 to +10 labeled vertically, and spaces at the foot of each day in which can be noted the blue and red totals. There may also be provided spaces below for an individual to record details which might account for a change in mood on a particular day. Alternatively the blank graphs 16 could be incorporated into a diary to track the mood changes.

The system thereby provides a means for an individual to measure their mood every day, on a scale between -10 and +10, then to plot their scores or rating on a graph 16 so their ups and downs can be tracked over a period of time.

This tracking of a mood rating, and so of an individual's mood has been found to be an important part, and benefit of the invention, and system. In particular it is known that if it is wished to modify aspects of our lives, it's desirable to have a way of measuring that which we wish to change, so that we have a way of seeing how things are progressing. For example if you wished to lose weight by going on a diet, it would be sensible to weigh yourself regularly so that you could take action if things weren't going as well as you may have wished. If your weight wasn't changing much, you might decide to cut down on your food intake. Or you could select to undertake some vigorous physical exercise. Indeed experiments have shown that those who weigh themselves most frequently tend to lose the greatest weight. Daily weighing is better than weekly weighing. And this in turn would be inclined to do you more good than stepping on the scales just once a month. Other research has shown that people who wear a pedometer tend to walk a mile a day more, on average, than those who don't. Heavy drinkers who keep diaries recording their alcohol intake end up drinking less over time. Countless experts offer people advice on boosting their mood. However, those who take that advice, and put such strategies into practice, and the experts need an objective way of measuring their progress.

Accordingly the present invention and system provides a tool and objective way of evaluating mood on a day by day basis, in a simple manner through such a single

easily understood score and description.

The system and tool may be embodied via a computer 20 in a website, on which an individual has been set up with an account'. By logging on with a user name and password, the individual is then able to register their scores or ratings each day. This rating may then be automatic ally plotted on an online version of their line 18 chart or graph 16, in place of or in addition to the manual plotting. In addition the individual red (PA) and blue (NA) scores could be input and the look up table 12 used within the computer system 20 and web site to derive the individual mood score and characteristic.

In a yet further variant the cards and initial test could be replaced by the computer system randomly presenting the twenty mood indicator teuns and a user entering the appropriate response, such that the computer system then calculates, in a similar way to that described above, the individual mood score and characteristic and plots the result in an automated fashion.

A further important step, and further aspect of the system and tool, is the communication of an individual's daily (or regular) mood rating to a third party.

Specifically an individual asks one (or a few) other people to act as their buddy/buddies, and the single mood score and assessment is then communicated to them by the system in a suitable fonm This may be done in any number of ways. However in the preferred embodiment, and as illustrated in figures 4 and 5, the computer 20 and website is programmed in such a way that these buddies receive an automated email notification 22 (figure 5) of the individual's rating to their computer 26 as soon as it has been entered at the website andlor by text message to a mobile phone 24. They are then also able to view the online line chart 18 and graph 16. This enables them to keep an eye on their friend, supporting them if they're down and congratulating them if they are up. Alternatively or additionally the rating can also be communicated and used in a counselor/client or psychiatrist/patient situation, giving the professional a means of monitoring, at a distance, the person with whom they are working.

This buddying' aspect and mere act of communicating of a mood rating and assessment, coupled with daily mood tests, has been found can have a positive effect on the user's mood. It can lead to people feeling happier, without therapeutic or pharmaceutical intervention.

This further advantage is believed to be based upon, and capitalizes upon a psychological phenomenon known as the Hawthorne Effect, first observed in the 1920's, which suggested that social influences may have an impact on people to a greater extent than environmental influences, such that they may behave and act more positively simply because someone else (an observer) is showing an interest in them. The regular monitoring (or even perceived monitoring) makes use of this effect. Iii this regard it should be noted that many psychological assessments aim to eliminate the Hawthorne Effect, so that their outcomes are not influenced by the assessment itself In complete contrast the present invention and system takes advantage of this effect, with the result that when someone else, a buddy', takes an interest in an individual's mood, that mood may improve. In addition it should be noted that this further advantage is enabled by the development of a single mood rating, and characterization of an individual's mood which can readily and easily be understood, in contrast to the more complex PA and NA scores of the conventional PANAS system.

It will be appreciated that the system and method as described may be implemented in a number of different ways and formats, and in particular in both a computer implemented form as well as in other non-computer implemented ways. In addition there may be many other variations on the basic configuration. For example different mood indicator adjectives and terms could be used. In a children's version simpler descriptive adjectives could be used.

It will also be appreciated that the novel idea of taking a test by orienting two-faced, two-ended cards means that it is not necessary to fill in a form each day, eliminating paper and resulting in the test being more enjoyable to take. This aspect may also extend to other tests and assessments, and not just related to assessing a mood.

Indeed this forms an important and separate aspect of the invention. For example in such other aspects suitable cards relating to a questionnaire and specific questions could be used and then accordingly scored in a similar way to produce a final single score relating to the overall result of the questionnaire or assessment.

The principle and mode of operation of this invention has been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for assessing and/or monitoring a mental state or mood of an individual; the system comprising: a first plurality of predetermined mood indicators; a second plurality of predetermined mood indicators; a means for an individual to associate a numerical value, based upon a predetermined scale, relating the applicability of each mood indicator to the mental state of an individual, and to combine said numerical values to derive a first combined numerical assessment value for first plurality of mood indicators, and a second combined numerical assessment value for second plurality of mood indicators; a means to determine a single assessment rating based upon a non-linear correlation of said first and second combined numerical assessment values to derive a single assessment rating; a means to record said single assessment rating; and a means to communicate said single assessment rating to a third party.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first plurality of mood indicators relate to a first dominant mood dimension, and the second plurality of mood indicators relate to a second, different dominant mood dimension.
3. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first plurality of mood indicators relate to a positive mood affect (PA), and the second plurality of mood indicators relate to a negative mood affect (NA).
4. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means to determine a single assessment score comprises a look-up table in which each combination of said first and second combined numerical assessment values is provided with a corresponding single assessment rating.
5. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means to record said single assessment rating comprises a graph on which the single assessment rating is plotted over time.
6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a plurality of cards, each card associated with a particular mood indicator.
7. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein numerical values of the scale are provided on the cards in different locations and/or orientations such that each card can be oriented to present a selected numerical value.
8. A system as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein each card has a front and reverse, and a different numerical value is provided on the front and reverse.
9. A system as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein each card has a head and foot, and a different numerical value is provided on the head and foot.
10. A system as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9 wherein the means for an individual to associate a numerical value comprises orienting the cards, and combining the indicated similarly oriented displayed values.
11. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means to communicate said single assessment rating comprises a computer system.
12. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means to communicate said single assessment rating to a third party comprises an email message.
13. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means to communicate said single assessment rating to a third party comprises a text message sent to a mobile device.
14. A system as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a computer programmed to present descriptors of said mood indicators and record a selected score associated with each descriptor, calculate the first and combined numerical assessment value, and determine a single assessment rating based upon a non-linear correlation of said first and second combined numerical assessment values.
15. A method for assessing and/or monitoring a mental state or mood of an individual; the method comprising the following steps: a) providing a first plurality of predetermined mood indicators; b) providing a second plurality of predetermined mood indicators; c) associating a numerical value, based upon a predetermined scale, relating the applicability of the mood indicator to the mental state of an individual, for each mood indicator; d) combining said numerical values relating to said first plurality of mood indicators to derive a first combined numerical assessment value for the first plurality of mood indicators; e) combining said numerical values relating to said second plurality of mood indicators to derive a second combined numerical assessment value for the second plurality of mood indicators; I) determining a single assessment rating based upon a non-linear correlation of said first and second combined numerical assessment values; g) recording the single assessment rating; h) communicating the single assessment rating to a third party; and i) periodically repeating the steps a) to h).
16. A system for generating a combined assessment from multiple attributes and individual assessments and scores, the system comprising a plurality of cards, each card associated with a particular attribute or assessment, and wherein numerical values relating to each attribute or assessment are provided on the cards in different locations andlor orientations such that each card can be oriented to present a selected numerical value.
17. A system as claimed in claim 16 wherein each card has a front and reverse, and a different numerical value is provided on the front and reverse.
18. A system as claimed in claim 16 or 17 wherein each card has a head and foot, and a different numerical value is provided on the head and foot.
19. A system as claimed in any of claims 16 to 19 wherein the indicated similarly oriented displayed values of the oriented cards are combined to provide a combined value for the plurality of cards.
20. A method for generating a combined assessment from multiple attributes and individual assessments and scores, the method comprising: providing a plurality of cards, and associating each card with a particular attribute or assessment, providing numerical values relating to each attribute or assessment on the cards in different locations and/or orientations such that each card can be oriented to present a selected numerical value; and orienting the cards to indicate the particular value or assessment associated with the attribute or assessment related to the card.
21. A method as claimed in claim 20 further comprising orienting the cards, and combining the indicated similariy oriented displayed values to provide a single combined value of the plurality of cards.
22. A system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, andlor as shown in any one or more of figures 1 to 5.
23. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as shown in any one or more of figures 1 to 5.