Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation scale—revised

Rodebaugh et al. [2004: Psychol Assess 2:169-181] recently performed a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation scale (BFNE; Leary, 1983: Psychol Bull 9:371-375]. Their study resulted in the emergence of a two-factor solution comprising straightforwardly worded items and reverse-worded items. They concluded by recommending use of only the straightforwardly worded items in the BFNE. Our intent in this study was to evaluate this recommendation through replication and extension. Participants included 385 undergraduates from the Universities of Regina and Houston, who provided responses to a questionnaire battery including either the BFNE or a revision utilizing straightforwardly worded versions of the reverse-worded items (BFNE-II). A CFA of the BFNE, using the two-factor model proposed by Rodebaugh et al., supported their conclusion that the reverse-worded items comprise a separate, methodologically based factor. However, CFA of the BFNE-II resulted in an acceptable unitary model that conforms to the theoretical basis for the BFNE, without risking loss of sensitivity from item removal. Additional analyses suggest use of the BFNE-II rather than a shortened form.