Assessing Embitterment in University Population: A Psychometric Study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to construct a culturally valid Embitterment scale (ES), and to establish psychometric properties of the scale (reliability and validity). Phenomenology was explored; to explore the phenomenology open ended interviews were carried out, of 40 university students (BA/BS Hons), both men (20) and women (20), age ranging from 18 to 25. They were given the operational definition of the construct and were asked, about the characteristics an embittered person. Exploratory factor analysis was done, construct validity and test retest reliability were established. Out of 320 participants, 160 were men and 160 were women. Sample was divided into strata of age, gender and BS level. Convenient sampling was done to collect data from university students. The Embitterment Scale was correlated with Post Traumatic Embitterment Scale (PTES) with r = 0.62 and test -retest reliability of ES with r = .88 (p < 0.01). Factor analysis was carried out, through factor analysis three factors were obtained namely: Interpersonal Conflict, Intrapersonal Distress, and Rigid Sense of Self Righteousness. The embitterment scale was found to have adequate validity and reliability and can be used confidently to assess embitterment in student population. Keywords: embitterment, university students, culture, young adults.