Using the Short Form of the MSBS to assess state boredom among adolescents: psychometric evidence by applying item response theory

The Multidimensional State Boredom Scale (MSBS) is widely used, but evidence regarding its psychometric properties among adolescents is lacking. In particular, the functioning of the scale across genders is unknown. As a result, we used item response theory (IRT) to investigate gender invariance of the Short Form of the MSBS (MSBS-SF) among adolescents. Four hundred and sixty-six Italian high school students (51% male; M = 16.7, SD = 1.44) were recruited. A confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated the unidimensionality of the scale, and IRT analyses indicated that the scale was sufficiently informative. Differential item functioning (DIF) across genders showed that only one item had DIF that was both nonuniform and small in size. Additionally, relationships with negative/positive urgency and present/future-oriented time perspectives were found. Overall, this study offers evidence that the MSBS-SF is a valuable and useful scale for measuring state boredom among male and female adolescents.