The multidimensional assessment of self-esteem plays an important role in self-esteem research. In this article, we present the development of a short form and an ultra-short form of the Multidimensional Self-Esteem Scale (MSES; Schütz et al., 2016). Items were selected by eliminating redundant items and by using a deterministic search algorithm in a sample of 644 adults (Mage=47.0). Construct validity was established by investigating the relations between each MSES short form and other constructs and cross-validating the factor structure of both short forms of the MSES in 674 adolescents (Mage=14.2) and in 425 adults from a preregistered study (Mage=49.1). Both short scales demonstrated satisfactory reliability and factorial validity in all samples. Analyses examining relations with the Big Five personality traits, narcissism, and academic achievement supported construct validity in all age-groups. The present research indicates that the short versions of the MSES are economic and valid instruments for measuring multidimensional self-esteem in adolescents and adults. The short form (MSES-24) should be particularly useful in applied research settings with a need to reduce participants’ burden, whereas the ultra-short form (MSES-12) may prove convenient for panel studies and large-scale research with limited time capacities.

Abstract. The multidimensional assessment of self-esteem plays an important role in self-esteem research. In this article, we present the development of a short form and an ultra-short form of the Multidimensional Self-Esteem Scale (MSES; Schütz et al., 2016 ). Items were selected by eliminating redundant items and by using a deterministic search algorithm in a sample of 644 adults ( Mage = 47.0). Construct validity was established by investigating the relations between each MSES short form and other constructs and cross-validating the factor structure of both short forms of the MSES in 674 adolescents ( Mage = 14.2) and in 425 adults from a preregistered study ( Mage = 49.1). Both short scales demonstrated satisfactory reliability and factorial validity in all samples. Analyses examining relations with the Big Five personality traits, narcissism, and academic achievement supported construct validity in all age groups. The present research indicates that the short versions of the MSES are economic and valid instruments for measuring multidimensional self-esteem in adolescents and adults. The short form (MSES-24) should be particularly useful in applied research settings with a need to reduce participants’ burden, whereas the ultra-short form (MSES-12) may prove convenient for panel studies and large-scale research with limited time capacities.

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Dispositional envy has been conceptualized as an emotional trait that varies across comparison domains (e.g., attraction, competence, wealth). Despite its prevalence and potentially detrimental effects, little is known about stability and change in dispositional envy across time due to a lack of longitudinal data. The goal of the present research was to close this gap by investigating stability and developmental change in dispositional envy over time. In a preregistered longitudinal study across 6 years, we analyzed data from N = 1229 German participants ( n = 510–634 per wave) with a mean age of 47.0 years at intake ( SD = 12.4, range 18–88). Results from latent factor models revealed that both global and domain-specific dispositional envy were stable across 6 years in terms of their rank order and mean levels, with stability coefficients similar to those of other trait measures reported in literature. Moreover, a substantial amount of variance in global and domain-specific dispositional envy was accounted for by a stable trait factor. Results thus provide evidence for a stable disposition toward the experience of envy both at the global level and within specific envy domains. The present findings have important theoretical and practical implications for the stability and development of dispositional envy in adulthood and advance the understanding of emotional traits in general.

The term vaccine envy (i.e., envy experienced when others are given the opportunity to receive a COVID‐19 vaccine) was coined during the COVID‐19 pandemic and has received media attention. This study is the first to systematically investigate vaccine envy. In two pre‐registered online surveys conducted in May 2021 (N = 1,174) and October/November 2021 (N = 535), we collected data from vaccinated and unvaccinated German participants, including measures of vaccine envy, well‐being, personal experiences during the pandemic, and various trait constructs (e.g., justice sensitivity and self‐esteem). We found that in May 2021, 47% of participants experienced vaccine envy at least sometimes and that vaccine envy was connected to victim sensitivity, subjective perceptions of being threatened by the pandemic, and an increased willingness to be vaccinated. By November 2021, however, vaccine envy among unvaccinated participants had almost disappeared. Our findings advance the understanding of the psychological impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic.