An Item Response Theory Analysis of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale
Abstract
The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, a widely used self-report instrument for evaluating individual self-esteem, was investigated using item response theory. Factor analysis identified a single common factor, contrary to some previous studies that extracted separate Self-Confidence and Self-Depreciation factors. A unidimensional model for graded item responses was fit to the data. A model that constrained the 10 items to equal discrimination was contrasted with a model allowing the discriminations to be estimated freely. The test of significance indicated that the unconstrained model better fit the data-that is, the 10 items of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale are not equally discriminating and are differentially related to self-esteem. The pattern of functioning of the items was examined with respect to their content, and observations are offered with implications for validating and developing future personality instruments.
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The RSE measures both positive and negative views of the self, and has well-established psychometric properties (α ranging from .72 to .88).
“The RSE measures both positive and negative views of the self, and has well-established psychometric properties ( α ranging from .72 to .88; Gray-Little et al ., 1997).”
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- Authors
- Gray-Little, B., Williams, V. S. L., & Hancock, T. D.
- Affiliations
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill,
- National Institute of Statistical Sciences (US)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
- Venue
- Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 1997-05
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 443-451
- ISSN
- 0146-1672 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-7433
- OpenAlex
- W2147628785
- Cited by
- 801
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 19 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 42 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 52 · 2020: 52 · 2019: 45 · 2018: 41 · 2017: 41 · 2016: 48 · 2015: 56 · 2014: 44 · 2013: 33 · 2012: 37
- FWCI
- 12.37
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
- Keywords
- Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, self-esteem, item response theory, item discrimination, graded response model, unidimensional model, factor structure, self-confidence, self-devaluation
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