Development of the Short Scale of the Multidimensional Emotional Competence Questionnaire in a German Sample

Abstract

The aim of this study is the development of a short self-report tool of the Multidimensional Emotional Competence Questionnaire (MECQ). The MECQ consists of 109 items representing 11 factors resulting in an ineffective usability in combination with other measurement instruments and constitutes the reason for this study. Based on the selection criteria at content and statistical level, the results of the analyses of 777 participants suggest the creation of a 32-item short version (MECQ-s). Confirmatory factor analysis supports a four-dimensional structure, including 11 factors of emotional competence (EC). The internal consistency reliability coefficients ranged from α = .75 to .76. A comparison between the MECQ and the MECQ-s provides evidence of construct validity. The main difference between the MECQ-s and other existing self-report tools is its multidimensionality integrating several factors of EC. Researchers and practitioners can use it to measure, map and describe, or evaluate EC.