Self-Esteem as an Outcome Measure in Studies of Vocational Rehabilitation for Adults With Severe Mental Illness
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Self-esteem is widely used as an outcome variable in studies of psychiatric rehabilitation, based on the assumption that improved functional status leads to higher self-esteem. Little is known, however, about the determinants of self-esteem among adults with severe mental illness. The utility of a popular measure of global self-esteem-the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale-as an outcome measure was examined in this population. METHODS: A total of 143 participants enrolled in a study of vocational rehabilitation were assessed at baseline and six, 12, and 18 months later using measures of self-esteem, symptoms, life satisfaction, work status, housing status, and total income. RESULTS: Scores on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale did not vary with work status or other functional outcomes but instead were strongly related to measures of life satisfaction and affective symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesis that working leads to improved self-esteem for people with severe mental illness was not supported. For this population, self-esteem, as measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, appears to be a relatively stable trait that reflects general life satisfaction and affective symptoms rather than objective functional status.
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The RSE demonstrates excellent internal consistency and reliability.
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- Authors
- Torrey, W. C., Mueser, K. T., McHugo, G. H., & Drake, R. E.
- Affiliations
- Dartmouth College (US)
- Venue
- Psychiatric Services
- Published
- 2000-02
- Volume
- 51
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 229-233
- ISSN
- 0022-1597 (ISSN-L)
- 1075-2730
- 1557-9700
- OpenAlex
- W2155858292
- Cited by
- 174
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 3.26
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychiatric Services (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5k02mh000839-10, 5r18mh047650-03)
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH-00839, MH-47650)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Disability Education and Employment
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mental Health and Patient Involvement
- Keywords
- self-esteem, vocational rehabilitation, severe mental illness, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, outcome measures, life satisfaction, affective symptoms, employment, functional status, psychiatric rehabilitation
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Mental Disorders, Chronic Disease, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Quality of Life, Rehabilitation, Vocational, Self Concept, Severity of Illness Index, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Statistics, Nonparametric
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