Development and Validation of Schadenfreude Scale for Adolescents

Abstract

The present study is based on the development of scale to measure schadenfreude in adolescents. The objectives of the study are twofold i.e., the development of an indigenous scale to measure schadenfreude among adolescents and to establish the validity of this scale. To achieve these goals, study comprised of two phases. Item pool was generated on the basis of literature as well as content analysis of the information obtained through focus groups and it was finalized through committee approach. Factor structure of the scale was determined by conducting Exploratory Factor Analysis (N=330). In Phase-II, psychometric properties of the scale were established by conducting Confirmatory Factor Analysis on an independent sample (N=320). Descriptive statistics, alpha reliabilities and item total correlations were computed. The final scale comprised of 28 statements with six domains included Rivalry, Negative Emotions, Unfairness, Worthlessness, Comparison Bias, and Helplessness. It is a measure schadenfreude among adolescents.