Validation study of the Italian brief version of the multidimensional jealousy scale: Psychometric properties, measurement invariance across gender, and convergent validity
IntroductionThe multidimensional jealousy scale (MJS) is among the most internationally used instruments for the assessment of jealousy in its three dimensions: cognitive, emotional, and behavioral. This study aimed to replicate the Italian validation process of the shortened MJS in order to confirm...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1013584/full |
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| author | Pierluigi Diotaiuti Giuseppe Valente Stefania Mancone Laura Girelli Elisa Cavicchiolo Andrea Chirico |
| author_facet | Pierluigi Diotaiuti Giuseppe Valente Stefania Mancone Laura Girelli Elisa Cavicchiolo Andrea Chirico |
| author_sort | Pierluigi Diotaiuti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThe multidimensional jealousy scale (MJS) is among the most internationally used instruments for the assessment of jealousy in its three dimensions: cognitive, emotional, and behavioral. This study aimed to replicate the Italian validation process of the shortened MJS in order to confirm its psychometric properties and measurement invariance across gender.Materials and methodsExploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted in a large sample of adults (n = 2,928). To reliably estimate mean differences across gender, the measurement invariance of the scale was first established by means of CFA. Convergent validity was than tested by administrating the tool to a convenient sample (n = 304).ResultsA 15-item version of the Italian MJS was retained in its three-factor structure. The tool showed good fit with both the CFA (χ2 = 211.827, CFI = 0.969, TLI = 0.959, RMSEA = 0.047, RMSEA 90% CI = 0.039–0.055) and the results confirmed the strong measurement invariance of the MJS across gender. The internal consistency measures were found to be fully satisfactory. Predictive associations with constructs such as avoidance and anxiety referred to attachment in relationships (ECR-R), obsessive jealousy, depressive jealousy, jealousy associated with separation anxiety, paranoid jealousy (QUEGE), and basic self-esteem (BSE) were confirmed.DiscussionThe MJS is particularly apt to collect information quickly and efficiently about jealousy in a current relationship. The multidimensional and brief structure makes it particularly suitable for preliminary screening, couple therapy assessment, and research purposes. |
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| format | Article |
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| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T06:40:08Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-2a357fd838b2411ab39367b472d114b02022-12-22T03:43:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782022-11-011310.3389/fpsyg.2022.10135841013584Validation study of the Italian brief version of the multidimensional jealousy scale: Psychometric properties, measurement invariance across gender, and convergent validityPierluigi Diotaiuti0Giuseppe Valente1Stefania Mancone2Laura Girelli3Elisa Cavicchiolo4Andrea Chirico5Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino, ItalyDepartment of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino, ItalyDepartment of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino, ItalyDepartment of Human, Philosophical, and Educational Sciences, University of Salerno, Fisciano, ItalyDepartment of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Psychology of Development and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyIntroductionThe multidimensional jealousy scale (MJS) is among the most internationally used instruments for the assessment of jealousy in its three dimensions: cognitive, emotional, and behavioral. This study aimed to replicate the Italian validation process of the shortened MJS in order to confirm its psychometric properties and measurement invariance across gender.Materials and methodsExploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted in a large sample of adults (n = 2,928). To reliably estimate mean differences across gender, the measurement invariance of the scale was first established by means of CFA. Convergent validity was than tested by administrating the tool to a convenient sample (n = 304).ResultsA 15-item version of the Italian MJS was retained in its three-factor structure. The tool showed good fit with both the CFA (χ2 = 211.827, CFI = 0.969, TLI = 0.959, RMSEA = 0.047, RMSEA 90% CI = 0.039–0.055) and the results confirmed the strong measurement invariance of the MJS across gender. The internal consistency measures were found to be fully satisfactory. Predictive associations with constructs such as avoidance and anxiety referred to attachment in relationships (ECR-R), obsessive jealousy, depressive jealousy, jealousy associated with separation anxiety, paranoid jealousy (QUEGE), and basic self-esteem (BSE) were confirmed.DiscussionThe MJS is particularly apt to collect information quickly and efficiently about jealousy in a current relationship. The multidimensional and brief structure makes it particularly suitable for preliminary screening, couple therapy assessment, and research purposes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1013584/fullbehavioral jealousycognitive jealousyemotional jealousygender differencesinsecure attachmentmultidimensional jealousy scale |
| spellingShingle | Pierluigi Diotaiuti Giuseppe Valente Stefania Mancone Laura Girelli Elisa Cavicchiolo Andrea Chirico Validation study of the Italian brief version of the multidimensional jealousy scale: Psychometric properties, measurement invariance across gender, and convergent validity Frontiers in Psychology behavioral jealousy cognitive jealousy emotional jealousy gender differences insecure attachment multidimensional jealousy scale |
| title | Validation study of the Italian brief version of the multidimensional jealousy scale: Psychometric properties, measurement invariance across gender, and convergent validity |
| title_full | Validation study of the Italian brief version of the multidimensional jealousy scale: Psychometric properties, measurement invariance across gender, and convergent validity |
| title_fullStr | Validation study of the Italian brief version of the multidimensional jealousy scale: Psychometric properties, measurement invariance across gender, and convergent validity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Validation study of the Italian brief version of the multidimensional jealousy scale: Psychometric properties, measurement invariance across gender, and convergent validity |
| title_short | Validation study of the Italian brief version of the multidimensional jealousy scale: Psychometric properties, measurement invariance across gender, and convergent validity |
| title_sort | validation study of the italian brief version of the multidimensional jealousy scale psychometric properties measurement invariance across gender and convergent validity |
| topic | behavioral jealousy cognitive jealousy emotional jealousy gender differences insecure attachment multidimensional jealousy scale |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1013584/full |
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