Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Italian version of Benign Envy and Malicious Envy Scale among Italian workers

The present study analyzed the psychometric properties of the Italian adaptation of the Benign Envy and Malicious Envy Scale (BEMES) in the workplace context. The scale’s construct, convergent, and discriminant validity were examined and compared with related constructs such as social comparison, li...

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Main Authors: Paolo Soraci, Nadia Bevan, Renato Pisanti, Rocco Servidio, Mark D. Griffiths
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Psychology
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311908.2025.2489823
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author Paolo Soraci
Nadia Bevan
Renato Pisanti
Rocco Servidio
Mark D. Griffiths
author_facet Paolo Soraci
Nadia Bevan
Renato Pisanti
Rocco Servidio
Mark D. Griffiths
author_sort Paolo Soraci
collection DOAJ
description The present study analyzed the psychometric properties of the Italian adaptation of the Benign Envy and Malicious Envy Scale (BEMES) in the workplace context. The scale’s construct, convergent, and discriminant validity were examined and compared with related constructs such as social comparison, life satisfaction, mental well-being, and psychological distress. A convenience sample of 507 Italian workers (M age = 35.15 years [SD = ±12.31]; 82.38% female) successfully completed an online survey. Confirmatory factor analyses showed the bi-factor structure of the BEMES did not provide a good fit to the data. Consequently, two items with low loadings were removed from their respective hypothesized latent factors. The scale’s reliability was satisfactory, demonstrating good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.74–0.80; McDonald’s ω = 0.75–0.80). The scale’s validity was supported by associations with related constructs: benign envy had significant positive associations with increased social comparison, higher life satisfaction, and better mental well-being, while having negative associations with anxiety, stress, and depression. Conversely, malicious envy had positive associations with anxiety, stress, depression, and increased social comparison, while having negative associations with higher life satisfaction and better mental well-being. Findings contribute to a better understanding of envy in occupational contexts.
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spelling doaj-art-d63feea4378643efbf84f1e8fd1121572025-08-20T02:13:06ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Psychology2331-19082025-12-0112110.1080/23311908.2025.2489823Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Italian version of Benign Envy and Malicious Envy Scale among Italian workersPaolo Soraci0Nadia Bevan1Renato Pisanti2Rocco Servidio3Mark D. Griffiths4Department of Economic, Psychological, Communication, Education and Motor Sciences, University "Niccolò Cusano", Rome, ItalySchool of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, AustraliaDepartment of Economic, Psychological, Communication, Education and Motor Sciences, University "Niccolò Cusano", Rome, ItalyDepartment of Culture, Education and Society, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, ItalyInternational Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UKThe present study analyzed the psychometric properties of the Italian adaptation of the Benign Envy and Malicious Envy Scale (BEMES) in the workplace context. The scale’s construct, convergent, and discriminant validity were examined and compared with related constructs such as social comparison, life satisfaction, mental well-being, and psychological distress. A convenience sample of 507 Italian workers (M age = 35.15 years [SD = ±12.31]; 82.38% female) successfully completed an online survey. Confirmatory factor analyses showed the bi-factor structure of the BEMES did not provide a good fit to the data. Consequently, two items with low loadings were removed from their respective hypothesized latent factors. The scale’s reliability was satisfactory, demonstrating good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.74–0.80; McDonald’s ω = 0.75–0.80). The scale’s validity was supported by associations with related constructs: benign envy had significant positive associations with increased social comparison, higher life satisfaction, and better mental well-being, while having negative associations with anxiety, stress, and depression. Conversely, malicious envy had positive associations with anxiety, stress, depression, and increased social comparison, while having negative associations with higher life satisfaction and better mental well-being. Findings contribute to a better understanding of envy in occupational contexts.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311908.2025.2489823Benign Envy and Malicious Envy Scaleenvypsychometric propertiesItalian validationworkerspsychometrics/testing & measurement theory
spellingShingle Paolo Soraci
Nadia Bevan
Renato Pisanti
Rocco Servidio
Mark D. Griffiths
Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Italian version of Benign Envy and Malicious Envy Scale among Italian workers
Cogent Psychology
Benign Envy and Malicious Envy Scale
envy
psychometric properties
Italian validation
workers
psychometrics/testing & measurement theory
title Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Italian version of Benign Envy and Malicious Envy Scale among Italian workers
title_full Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Italian version of Benign Envy and Malicious Envy Scale among Italian workers
title_fullStr Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Italian version of Benign Envy and Malicious Envy Scale among Italian workers
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Italian version of Benign Envy and Malicious Envy Scale among Italian workers
title_short Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Italian version of Benign Envy and Malicious Envy Scale among Italian workers
title_sort evaluating the psychometric properties of the italian version of benign envy and malicious envy scale among italian workers
topic Benign Envy and Malicious Envy Scale
envy
psychometric properties
Italian validation
workers
psychometrics/testing & measurement theory
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311908.2025.2489823
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