Keywords:

Self-Esteem

Background:

This scale contains ten items that can be used to assess global self-esteem (Rosenberg, 1965). A six item version of the scale is also available which has been shown to have good internal consistency with African American Adolescents (McCreary et al., 1996).

Developer(s):

Morris Rosenberg

Copyright:

Permission granted to use for educational and research purposes.

Reliability:

Internal consistency:
Cronbach alpha (English version) = 0.78
Cronbach alpha (Spanish version) = 0.77 (Lorenzo-Hernandez and Ouellette, 1998)

Assessment:

Scale Item I: Two or three positive responses is considered positive.

I feel that I am a person of worth, at least on an equal basis with others. R
I feel that I have a number of good qualities. R
All in all, I am inclined to feel that I am a failure.

Scale Item II: One or two positive responses is considered positive.

I am able to do things as well as most other people. R
I feel I do not have much to be proud of.

Scale Item III:

I take a positive attitude toward myself. R

Scale Item IV:

On the whole, I am satisfied with myself. R

Scale Item V:

I wish I could have more respect for myself.

Scale Item VI: One or two positive responses is considered positive.

I certainly feel useless at times.
At times I think I am no good at all.

USE THE FOLLOWING RESPONSE CATEGORIES.

1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Disagree
4. Strongly disagree

In this scale, a response of Agree or Strongly Agree is to be scored as positive, unless the item is followed by an R, in which case a response of Disagree or Strongly Disagree is to be scored as positive.

References:

• Lorenzo-Hernandez, J. & Oullette, S.C. (1998). Ethnic identity, self-esteem, and values in Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, and African Americans. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 28, 2007-2024.
• McCreary, M.L, Slavin, L.A., & Berry, E.J. (1996). Predicting problem behavior and self-esteem among African American Adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Research, 11, 216-234.
• Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
• Simmons, R.G., Rosenberg, F., & Rosenberg, M. (1973). Disturbance in the self-image at adolescence. American Sociological Review, 38, 553-568. This paper includes the six item version referenced by McCreary et al. (1996).

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