The Psychometric Properties of the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (FNES-B) in a nonclinical, student sample. 325 students (143 male and 182 female) who were selected using randomized multi-stage sampling method responded to FNES-B Scale and Academic Expectations Stress Inventory (AESI). In this research, the confirmatory factor analysis was used to determine the validity of FNES-B, and Cronbach’s alpha was used to determine its internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that while the unidimensional model of Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale had an acceptable fit to the data, the two-factor model of Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (including positive and reverse scored items) demonstrated a superior fit to the data. The data also supported the reliability of FNES-B scores. In other words internal consistency was good for the positive scored factor (=α0.87) and for the full FNES-B scale (=α0.84) and acceptable for the reverse scored factor (=α0.47). FNES-B scores were significantly correlated with the AESI (p<0.001). Female students scored higher in FNES-B scores in comparison with male students. FNES-B is a valid and reliable measurement instrument for measuring fear of negative evaluation in students.