Development and validation of Tripartite Schadenfreude Scale

Sana Safia, Adnan Adil, Saba Ghayas, Sultan Shujja

Accepted July 30, 2024

First published August 25, 2024

https://doi.org/10.26387/bpa.2024.00009

Abstract

Entrenched in the tripartite motivational model of schadenfreude (Wang, Lilienfeld & Rochat, 2019), this
study developed and validated a self-report measure of schadenfreude. In Study 1, a pool of 36 items was developed
after a thorough review of the literature and expert opinions. The content validity index for the items and scale was
established after obtaining the ratings of four experts. Con!rmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the item pool of the Tripartite
Schadenfreude Scale (TSS) in a purposive sample of 300 students at the University of Sargodha revealed a second-order
three-factor solution consistent with the tripartite motivational model of schadenfreude. The !rst-order factor loadings
ranged from .60 to .80 and their Cronbach’s alpha coef!cients of reliability ranged from .73 to .94. TSS and its three factors
demonstrated a strong positive correlation with the Perceived Schadenfreude Scale (Batool, 2014), which established
evidence of convergent validity. Study 2 replicated the factorial structure of TSS in a purposive sample of 219 students at
the University of Sargodha. Moreover, TSS did not correlate with shame or guilt, indicating discriminant validity. Overall,
these !ndings suggest that the newly developed TSS is a psychometrically sound measure of tripartite schadenfreude.

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Safia Sana . Adil Adnan . Ghayas Saba . Shujja Sultan . Development and validation of Tripartite Schadenfreude Scale. BPA Applied Psychology Bulletin. 2024;300(1):21-45. doi:10.26387/bpa.300.1.

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