Self-Report Measures of Boredom: An Updated Review of the Literature

Abstract

A detailed review of the psychometric measures of boredom was published approximately 12 years ago (Vodanovich, 2003). Since that time, numerous studies have been conducted on existing scales, and new measures of boredom have been developed. Given these assessment advancements, an updated review of self-report boredom scales is warranted. The primary focus of the current review is research published since 2003, and it includes a total of 16 boredom scales. The measures reviewed consist of two trait assessments (Boredom Proneness Scale, Boredom Susceptibility subscale of the Sensation Seeking Scale), five context-specific trait boredom scales (Boredom Coping Scale, Leisure Boredom Scale, Free Time Boredom Scale, Sexual Boredom Scale, Relational Boredom Scale), three assessments of state boredom (Multidimensional State Boredom Scale, State Boredom Measure, Boredom Experience Scale), and six context-specific state boredom measures-Lee's Job Boredom Scale, Dutch Boredom Scale, Boredom Coping Scale (Academic), the Boredom subscale of the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire, Academic Boredom Scale, Precursors to Boredom Scale. In addition to providing a review of these measures, a brief critique of each scale is included, as well as suggestions for needed research focus.

Over and over again: Changes in frontal EEG asymmetry across a boring task

“…Responses were reported using a 5point Likert scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Reliability reported for the Likert scale response option version are good and have been tested across multiple studies and samples (α = 0.79-0.90; Vodanovich & Watt, 2016; current study, α = 0.84).…”

“…In conclusion, people who are high in trait boredom are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and abuse drugs (Vodanovich & Watt, ). The current study opens new doors to pursue that may ultimately foster boredom resolution.…”

“…This is measured with 10 items using a forced‐choice format such as (a) “I dislike people who do or say anything just to shock or upset others,” or (b) “When you can predict almost everything a person will do and say, he or she is just a bore.” Reliability on the BSS was low ( α = 0.38). However, BSS reliability in prior studies has also been low ( α = 0.44–0.65; Gerritsen, Toplak, Sciaraffa, & Eastwood, ; Vodanovich & Watt, ). Removing especially low items did not improve overall reliability of the scale to match the literature.…”

Cuando el trabajo aburre: Análisis de las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Aburrimiento Laboral (EAL)

“…Como observamos, en muchas de las definiciones se presenta el aburrimiento como una experiencia negativa, relacionada con la insatisfacción, de bajo nivel de activación, que lleva a percibir la situación como carente de significado (Kass, Vodanovich, & Callender, 2001;van Hooff & van Hooft, 2014;Vodanovich & Watt, 2016). Se conceptúa además el aburrimiento como un estresor o un aspecto del ambiente del trabajo que lleva o genera emociones negativas (Bruursema, Kessler & Spector, 2011).…”

“…Al revisar la literatura existente encontramos que se han desarrollado diferentes instrumentos cuyo propósito es obtener información sobre el aburrimiento (para una presentación más abarcadora sobre este tema vea a Vodanovich, 2003 y a Vodanovich & Watt, 2016 Tal y como se evidencia, no se han desarrollado escalas para medir el aburrimiento laboral en el idioma español que nos ayuden a investigar este constructo de la manera más adecuada, contribuyendo así en la investigación, identificación y prevención de este constructo. Solo se identificó un estudio donde se tradujo y validó la MSBS en una muestra en España (Alda, et al, 2015).…”