Assessing the Temperamental Basis of the Sense of Humor: Adaptation of the English Language Version of the State-Trait Cheerfulness Inventory Long and Standard Form

Abstract

The State-Trait Model of Cheerfulness assesses the temperamental basis of the sense of humor with the traits and respective states of cheerfulness, seriousness, and bad mood. Cheerfulness is a dominant factor in current measures of the sense of humor and explains both, the disposition to engaging in smiling and laughter, as well as humor behaviors, and trait seriousness and bad mood are antagonistic to the elicitation of amusement (albeit for different reasons). Several studies have shown the validity and reliability of the STCI questionnaire in German and other language versions (i.e., Spanish). In this study, the English language version with 106 items (STCI-T <106>) was translated, checked for its item and scale characteristics, and tested with a confirmatory factor analysis approach (N = 1101) to investigate the factorial validity of the STCI-T <106> scale. Results show good psychometric characteristics, good internal consistencies, and a fit to the postulated underlying structure of the STCI-T. Then, the standard form with 60 items (STCI-T <60>) was developed and the psychometric characteristics initially tested. In an independent sample (N = 169), the characteristics of the standard form were compared to the parent form and German equivalent. It showed good psychometric characteristics, internal consistencies, as well as a good self- and peer-report congruence. To conclude, the STCI-T <106> is the measure of choice for the assessment of the temperamental basis of the sense of humor and the separate facets of the traits, while the standard form (60 items) allows of an economic assessment of cheerfulness, seriousness, and bad mood, free of context-saturated items and humor preferences.

The Italian Version of the State-Trait Cheerfulness Inventory Trait Form: Psychometric Validation and Evaluation of Measurement Invariance

“…Although the factor loadings were equivalent, there were differences in intercepts across the groups. Given its benefits on psychological and physical well-being, the measure can be used for cross-cultural comparisons in correlational studies measuring the trait-like characteristics of cheerfulness, seriousness, and bad-mood in humor interventions (e.g., Hofmann et al, 2018; Ruch, Hofmann, et al, 2018).…”

“…Aligned with analyses conducted on the original STCI and other translated versions (i.e., Carretero-Dios et al, 2014; G. Chen et al, 2016; Hofmann et al, 2018; Ruch et al, 1996), facet scores were created for item parceling. The parceling procedure was applied to lower measurement error and to resolve any concerns regarding nonnormality in single item distributions (Gribbons & Hocevar, 1998; Little, Cunningham, Shahar, & Widaman, 2002).…”

“…The STCI has shown strong psychometric properties and a replicable three-factor structure in more than 10 different language versions (Hofmann et al, 2018; Ruch & Hofmann, 2012; Ruch et al, 1996). Specifically, Hofmann and colleagues (2018) tested six different models and the three-factor model showed superior fit compared with the two- and one-factor models. Moreover, the three-factor structure has been supported and well-replicated in previous work in self-report state forms (e.g., López-Benítez, Acosta, Lupiáñez, & Carretero-Dios, 2017; Ruch et al, 1997), trait forms (e.g., Carretero-Dios et al, 2014; G.…”

What is the temperamental basis of humour like in China? A cross‐national examination and validation of the standard version of the state–trait cheerfulness inventory

“…Items on this version of the STCI‐T60 are equivalent to the English standard version comprised of 60 items utilising a four‐point scale (1 = strongly disagree , 4 = strongly agree ). Though Chen et al () referred to their questionnaire as the standard version, the present instrument reflects the selection of items consistent with other adapted versions (e.g., English, Italian, Chilean‐Spanish), thus constituting a “standard version” in its present form (Hofmann et al, ; Ruch et al, ). High internal consistency, factorial, convergent, and discriminant validity across multiple translated versions of this measure were found (Ruch et al, ).…”

“…The standard version of the State Trait Cheerfulness Inventory-Trait Version (STCI-T60; Ruch et al, 1996; Chinese version translated by Chen et al, 2016) measures three dimensions of cheerfulness, seriousness, and bad mood. The authors of the present study selected 60 items consistent with the English version proposed by Ruch et al (1996) and Hofmann, Carretero-Dios, and Carrell (2018). Items on this version of the STCI-T60 are equivalent to the English standard version comprised of 60 items utilising a four-point scale (1 = strongly disagree, 4 = strongly agree).…”