Psychometric analysis of the Russian language version of the questionnaire “The Vengeance Scale”: questionnaire of revenge and forgiveness

Abstract

The phenomenon of revenge is actively studied in psychology, but the tendency to vindictive behavior is difficult to measure, which is confirmed by the small number of methods designed to measure it. The Vengeance Scale was developed as the first measure of vengefulness. The original version of the questionnaire is recognized in foreign psychology and is widely used for scientific and practical purposes. The purpose of this work is to analyze the psychometric characteristics of the Russian version of the “The Vengeance Scale” questionnaire. The study involved 317 people aged 18 to 69 years, of which 113 were men (35.6%). Respondents filled out the Russian version of the “The Vengeance Scale” questionnaire and the “BPAQ-24” questionnaire, which measures anger, physical aggression and hostility. As a result of factor analysis, a two-factor structure of the “The Vengeance scale” questionnaire was established, including the factors “vindictiveness” (Cronbach’s α = 0.902) and “forgiveness” (Cronbach’s α = 0.811), and therefore the technique received a modified name “Vengeance and Forgiveness Questionnaire” (WMD). Correlation analysis established significant positive relationships between vindictiveness and physical aggression, hostility and anger. Gender differences were found: in men, “vindictiveness” is more pronounced, in women, “forgiveness” is more pronounced. Psychometric analysis confirmed the reliability-consistency, validity and reliability-stability of the Vengeance and Forgiveness Questionnaire, which allows us to recommend the adaptable methodology as a tool for diagnosing vindictiveness.