French Validation of the Digital Jealousy Scale

Abstract

This study validates the French version of the Digital Jealousy Scale (DJS), a self-report instrument assessing social media-induced jealousy (SoMJ) in romantic contexts. A sample of 551 French-speaking participants completed the DJS along with measures of jealousy, attachment, envy, relationship satisfaction, and self-esteem. Confirmatory factor analyses supported a unidimensional structure with good fit indices and high internal consistency (α=.86). Measurement invariance was established across gender, relationship status, and divorce status, although results for engaged participants should be interpreted cautiously due to limited power. DJS scores correlated positively with multidimensional jealousy, attachment anxiety, and malicious envy, and negatively with self-esteem, relationship satisfaction, and age. These findings support the scale’s validity and reliability within attachment and social comparison frameworks. The DJS thus provides a brief, robust tool for assessing SoMJ in French-speaking populations. Future work should examine its predictive value and cross-cultural applicability.