Self-esteem is a multidimensional construct that refers to an individual’s overall evaluation of their self-worth. It encompasses various beliefs, thoughts, and feelings about oneself. For researchers and psychologists, understanding self-esteem and its measurement is crucial for assessing individual differences and exploring the impact of self-esteem on various aspects of life. To measure self-esteem, a range of self-esteem scales have been developed and used over the years. These scales differ in their conceptualization, structure, and psychometric properties. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the different types of self-esteem scales, their characteristics, and how they are used in research and practice.
1. Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES):
The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale is one of the most widely used self-esteem measures. Developed sociologist Morris Rosenberg in 1965, it consists of ten items that are designed to assess an individual’s overall feelings of self-worth and self-acceptance. Respondents rate their agreement with statements such as “I feel that we have a number of good qualities” or “I take a positive attitude toward myself” on a Likert scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. This scale has demonstrated good reliability and validity in various populations and has been translated into numerous languages, making it suitable for cross-cultural research.
2. Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI):
The Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, developed Stanley Coopersmith in 1967, is another widely used self-esteem measure. It consists of 58 items that assess various dimensions of self-esteem, including self-confidence, self-respect, and self-worth. Respondents indicate their agreement with statements such as “I feel that we am a person of worth” or “I wish we could have more respect for myself” on a four-point scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. The SEI has been used extensively in research and has demonstrated good reliability and validity.
3. Self-Esteem Scale (SES):
The Self-Esteem Scale, developed Morris Rosenberg and Ralph H. Pearlin in 1978, is a 30-item measure designed to assess individuals’ self-esteem. It includes statements such as “I take a positive attitude toward myself” or “On the whole, we am satisfied with myself,” which respondents rate on a four-point scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. The SES has been widely used in research on various populations, including youth, adults, and older adults, and has shown good reliability and validity.
4. Contingencies of Self-Worth Scale (CSW):
The Contingencies of Self-Worth Scale, developed Crocker and colleagues in 2003, focuses on the various sources of self-esteem. It recognizes that individuals may derive their self-worth from different domains, such as academic competence, appearance, family support, or social acceptance. The CSW consists of multiple subscales, each assessing a different domain of self-worth. Respondents indicate the importance of these domains to their self-esteem and rate the items on a four-point scale ranging from not at all important to very important. This scale allows researchers to examine the role of different domains in individuals’ self-esteem and their psychological functioning.
5. State Self-Esteem Scale (SSES):
The State Self-Esteem Scale, developed Heatherton and Polivy (1991), assesses a person’s momentary or situational self-esteem. It measures how an individual feels about themselves in a specific situation or context. Respondents rate their agreement with statements such as “Right now, we feel good about myself” or “Right now, we am satisfied with myself” on a nine-point scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. The SSES is particularly useful in studying the impact of specific events or interventions on an individual’s self-esteem.
6. Multidimensional Self-Esteem Inventory (MSEI):
The Multidimensional Self-Esteem Inventory, developed Janis and Field in 1959, is a comprehensive measure that assesses different aspects of self-esteem. It consists of six subscales, including confidence, satisfaction, self-liking, personal control, and a sense of purpose in life. Respondents rate their agreement with statements such as “I feel satisfied with myself” or “I feel in control of my life” on a five-point scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. The MSEI provides a comprehensive assessment of self-esteem capturing various dimensions of self-worth.
7. Implicit Association Test (IAT):
Unlike the previous scales mentioned, the Implicit Association Test (IAT) is an indirect measure of self-esteem. Developed psychologists Anthony Greenwald and colleagues in 1998, the IAT assesses automatic associations and biases towards self-esteem-related constructs. It measures the strength of automatic associations between self and positive or negative attributes. The test requires participants to categorize stimuli (e.
g.
, positive and negative words or self-related and other-related words) using response keys. The faster and more accurate their responses, the stronger the associations. The IAT provides insights into implicit self-esteem, which may not always align with explicit self-esteem measures.
8. Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (SPPA):
The Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents, developed Harter in 1988, is specifically designed to assess self-esteem among adolescents. This scale includes separate subscales that measure specific domains of self-esteem such as scholastic competence, athletic competence, social acceptance, physical appearance, and behavioral conduct. Respondents rate their agreement with statements such as “Some kids my age like and approve of me” or “I usually do well in athletic activities” on a four-point scale ranging from really true to not at all true. The SPPA is widely used in research and allows for a domain-specific assessment of self-esteem among adolescents.
9. Collective Self-Esteem Scale (CSES):
The Collective Self-Esteem Scale, developed Luhtanen and Crocker in 1992, is specifically designed to measure an individual’s self-esteem derived from group identities, such as nationality, ethnicity, or social affiliations. This scale consists of 16 items that assess an individual’s feelings of self-worth associated with their group membership. Respondents rate their agreement with statements such as “Being a member of my group makes me feel good about myself” or “I am happy with my group membership” on a five-point scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. The CSES is particularly useful in assessing self-esteem in collective contexts and exploring the impact of group identification on individuals’ self-concept.
Self-esteem is a multifaceted construct that plays a crucial role in individuals’ psychological well-being and functioning. Various self-esteem scales have been developed to measure different aspects of self-esteem, including overall self-worth, specific domains, contingencies, or implicit associations. Each scale has its unique characteristics, conceptualization, and psychometric properties, allowing researchers and practitioners to assess self-esteem from different perspectives. By utilizing these scales, researchers can gain valuable insights into individuals’ self-esteem levels, the sources of their self-worth, and the impact of self-esteem on various aspects of life.