Validating the Short Emotional Vocabulary Test for Adolescents (SEVTA)

Abstract

This study, conducted with a sample of 517 adolescents, aimed to validate the Emotional Vocabulary (EV) test using an invariant measurement approach. The adaptation involved reducing the original adult-focused test to 20 items based on item-measure correlation, supplying to the specific language development needs of adolescents. Results revealed a latent variable explaining an important portion of the variance, with satisfactory fit and reliability for subjects, and excellent reliability for items. The participants exhibited an average ability of 0.77 logits, indicating a test of low-to-moderate dif-ficulty. Consistent with previous research, gender differences favouring females and increased proficiency with age were observed. Minimal Differential Item Functioning (DIF) supported the test’s validity. In summary, the study introduced the Short Emotional Vocabulary Test for Adolescents (SEVTA), providing an objective measure of emotional vocabulary in adolescents. In line with the Theory of Constructed Emotion, this study adds to the growing line of research showing development of emotional vocabulary and conceptualization in children and teenagers, and it can contribute to disentangle the terminology regarding emotion related concepts by identifying an objective measure, emotional vocabulary.