Self-linking and self-competence as dimensions of global self-esteem: Initial validation of a measure
Abstract
Three studies were conducted to validate the conceptualization of global self-esteem as consisting of two dimensions: a sense of social worth, or self-liking, and a sense of personal efficacy, or self-competence. In Study 1, confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the a priori structure of the Self-Liking/Self-Competence Scale, a self-report instrument designed to measure the two dimensions. In Study 2, a second structural analysis showed the dimensionality of Rosenberg's (1965) Self-Esteem Scale to parallel the proposed dichotomy. In Study 3, self-liking and self-competence were related to several theoretically linked constructs--depression, self-perceived abilities, and perceived parental approval--with the resulting pattern of correlations supporting their conceptualization as substantively distinct dimensions. The implications of these findings for understanding global self-esteem are discussed.
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In individualist cultures, greater effort will be directed toward restoring self-competence.
“Since people in individualist cultures such as the US and the UK rely on independent self-esteem as buffers against mortality concerns, more efforts will be put into restoring self-competence (Tafarodi & Swann, 1995).”
From Understanding user responses to the COVID-19 pandemic on Twitter from a terror management theory perspective: Cultural differences among the US, UK and India (2022) · cites this paper as Tafarodi & Swann, 1995
People in individualist cultures like the US and UK use independent self-esteem to buffer mortality concerns.
“Since people in individualist cultures such as the US and the UK rely on independent self-esteem as buffers against mortality concerns, more efforts will be put into restoring self-competence (Tafarodi & Swann, 1995).”
From Understanding user responses to the COVID-19 pandemic on Twitter from a terror management theory perspective: Cultural differences among the US, UK and India (2022) · cites this paper as Tafarodi & Swann, 1995
Users in individualist cultures such as the US and UK cope with death-related thoughts based on independent self-esteem, so their efforts were directed at restoring self-competence.
“Since users in individualist cultures such as the US and UK cope with death-related thoughts based on independent self-esteem, efforts were directed at restoring one's self-competence (Du et al., 2013; Tafarodi & Swann, 1995).”
From Understanding user responses to the COVID-19 pandemic on Twitter from a terror management theory perspective: Cultural differences among the US, UK and India (2022) · cites this paper as Tafarodi & Swann, 1995
Individuals with higher self-liking are comfortable in social settings and in communicating with others.
“Individuals with higher self-liking are comfortable in social settings and in communicating with others (Tafarodi & Swann, 1995).”
From Instagram addiction and the Big Five of personality: The mediating role of self-liking (2018) · cites this paper as Tafarodi & Swann, 1995
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“dimensional construct, combining self-competency and self-liking (Mruk, 2013a; Tafarodi and Swann, 1995).”
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- Authors
- Tafarodi, R. W., & Swann Jr., W. B.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas at Austin (US)
- ORCID
- Tafarodi, Romin W.
- Venue
- Journal of Personality Assessment
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 1995-10
- Volume
- 65
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 322-342
- ISSN
- 0022-3891 (ISSN-L)
- 1532-7752
- OpenAlex
- W2005785067
- Cited by
- 714
- References
- 54
- Citations by year
- 2026: 20 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 47 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 27 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 33 · 2012: 26
- FWCI
- 9.93
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Personality Assessment (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5k02mh000498-07, 5r01mh037598-09)
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH-37598, MH-00498)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
- Keywords
- global self-esteem, self-liking, self-competence, self-esteem measurement, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, social worth, personal efficacy, depression, self-perceived ability, parental approval
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Female, Humans, Male, Personality Assessment, Self Concept
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