Replication Study of the Slovak MESI Scale and its Construct Validity in Two Research Samples

The replication study offers research findings from verification of the construct validity of social intelligence by the Slovak MESI scale (Manipulation, Empathy, Social Irritability - MESI, Frankovský, Birknerová, 2014) by means of confirmatory factor analysis, and by convergent/discriminant validity by the trait emotional intelligence questionnaire (Petrides, 2009) in two samples (secondary school students: N = 134, Mage = 17.7 years old /SD = 0.47/, 66% women; university students: N = 138, Mage = 21.52 years old /SD = 1.81/, 77% women). Results of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirm the three-factor solution of the MESI scale (extracted factors of Manipulation, Empathy, Social Irritability) in accordance with the authors’ original solution in both samples. Trait emotional intelligence (EI) and its four factors enter into significant positive relationships with Empathy (convergent validity) and negative relationships with Social Irritability (discriminant validity). The global level of trait EI can be predicted by the factor of Empathy and Social Irritability in both research samples. Our findings confirm substantiation of the MESI scale for assessment of social intelligence, and its possible application in targeted educational interventions in a school environment.

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