Measures Of Global Self-esteem Research Articles

Self-esteem, Social and Affective Outcomes of Students with Special Educational Needs in Tertiary Education

The core values of inclusive education (IE) proclaim to provide equal educational opportunities to all students regardless of disabilities or special educational needs (SEN). Nonetheless, there were no consistent indications that IE was beneficial to students with SEN. Despite lacking solid evidence for the efficacy of IE, more and more students with SEN completed their secondary education and pursue their studies in tertiary education. This study was conducted in an institute of tertiary education to investigate psychosocial outcomes of inclusive practice. A total of 91 students with special educational needs participated in this study. Validated outcome measures of global self-esteem, social relationship, and psychological distress were incorporated in a questionnaire for online data collection. Results showed that students with SEN were able to maintain good social relationship with their peers, but their global self-esteem was significantly lower and their psychological distress was higher than their peers without SEN. Students with mental illness or emotional problems were most vulnerable to academic stress of tertiary education, whereas students with physical and sensory impairments were very well adjusted and their psychosocial outcomes were not significantly different from their pees without SEN. Findings of the study were discussed and implications of the findings for IE research considered.

Validity and reliability of the arabic version of the self-report single-item self-esteem scale (A-SISE)

BackgroundMeta-analytic findings documented a substantial impact of self-esteem on a broad range of psychological and behavioral indicators, thus highlighting its high clinical relevance. Proving a simple and cost-effective measure of global self-esteem to the Arabic-speaking community, who mostly live in low- and middle-income countries, and where research may be challenging, would be highly valuable. In this context, we sought to investigate the psychometric characteristics of an Arabic translation of the Single-Item Self-Esteem Scale (A-SISE) in terms of factor structure, reliability, and construct validity.MethodsA total of 451 participants were enrolled between October and December 2022. An anonymous self-administered Google Forms link was shared on WhatsApp. To examine the factor structure of the A-SISE, we used the FACTOR software. We conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA), using a principal component analysis on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) items first, then after adding the A-SISE.ResultsThe results of the EFA of the RSES revealed two factors (F1 = negatively-worded items; F2 = positively-worded items), which explained 60.63% of the common variance. When adding the A-SISE, the two-factor solution obtained explained 58.74% of the variance, with the A-SISE loading on the second factor. Both RSES and A-SISE correlated significantly and positively with each other, as well as with extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, open mindedness and satisfaction with life. Moreover, they correlated significantly and negatively with negative emotionality and depression.ConclusionThese results suggest that the A-SISE is a simple-to-use, cost-effective, valid and reliable measure of self-esteem. We thus recommend its use in future research among Arabic-speaking people in Arab clinical and research settings, particularly when researchers are limited by time or resources constraints.

Appraisal self-respect: Scale validation and construct implications

Despite the widely accepted recognition of the notion of self-respect and its importance for emotional well-being, it has received scant attention in the psychological literature. We report on the development and validation of a scale to measure trait (character-based) appraisal self-respect (ASR), conceptualised as a disposition to perceive or appraise oneself as being a respectworthy honourable person. We tested the factor structure, reliability, convergent, discriminant and criterion validity of the ASR scale in samples of adult individuals (combined N = 1910 across samples). The resulting ASR scale was found to be essentially unidimensional and showed good internal and acceptable test-retest reliability. Trait ASR was correlated with (yet distinct from) theoretically related measures of global self-esteem, moral self and principledness, and was distinct from other self-esteem facets not based on honourable character traits. Importantly, it related to well-being and prosocial behaviour over-and-above self-esteem. The validation work served to consolidate the theoretical boundaries and utility of this important concept.

COVID-19 and sports fans: examining the pandemic’s impact on need fulfillment and psychosocial outcomes

ABSTRACT Rational/Purpose: In March 2020, the sports world came to a standstill as COVID-19 spread across the globe. Sport fans were among the industry stakeholders most affected. Fans turn to sports to satisfy a variety of needs [Trail, G.T. (2018). Sport consumer behavior (4th ed.). Printed by the author.] and experience psychosocial benefits by way of their fandom [Wann et al. (2000). The self-presentation of sport fans: Investigating the importance of team identification and self-esteem. Journal of Sport Behavior, 23(2), 198–206.; Wann et al. (2017). Testing the team identification–social psychological health model: Mediational relationships among team identification, sport fandom, sense of belonging, and meaning in life. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, 21(2), 94–107.] Without games, however, to what extent were fans able to fulfill these needs? Further, did fans experience detrimental impacts to their self-esteem and sense of belongingness in relation to their team/fan communities? Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected via an online survey using select online NBA and MLB team message boards in addition to Amazon MTurk. Fan needs were measured using adapted versions of prior sport fan motivation scales [Trail & James (2001). The motivation scale for sport consumption: Assessment of the scale’s psychometric properties. Journal of Sport Behavior, 24, 108–127; Wann (1995). Preliminary validation of the sport fan motivation scale. Journal of Sport & Social Issues, 19(4), 377–396.]. Self-esteem was measured using an adapted version of Harris et al.’s [Harris et al. (2018). The Lifespan Self-Esteem scale: Initial validation of a new measure of global self-esteem. Journal of Personality Assessment, 100(1), 84–95]. Lifespan Self-Esteem Scale. Belongingness was measured using four items from Malone et al.’s [Malone et al. (2012). The general Belongingness Scale (GBS): Assessing achieved belongingness. Personality and Individual Differences, 52(3), 311–316]. General Belongingness Scale. Findings: Survey results from 417 sports fans revealed many of the needs typically met through sport consumption (i.e. achievement, drama, escape, family togetherness, social connections, group affiliation, and entertainment) went largely unmet during the pandemic. Further, highly passionate fans maintained higher perceived levels of self-esteem and belongingness than less passionate respondents. Practical implications: Results of this study should aid sports organizations in understanding the experience of their fans during the pandemic and better prepare teams and leagues to engage their consumers in future situations where live sports are unavailable. Research contribution: This paper builds on our understanding of fan motivation and psychosocial outcomes of fandom in a time when the sport was suspended due to COVID-19.

A New Global Measure (GSE-1) and a New Aspect-Based Measure (ASE-13) of Self-Esteem

Background: Existing measures of self-esteem are out of date and should be replaced. Global self-esteem measures need to be replaced by an efficient single-item measure suitable for everyday monitoring in clinical settings. Aspect-based measures of self-esteem need to be replaced by a measure that covers not only traditional influences on self-esteem but also contemporary influences brought about by the Internet and social media. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop a new single-item measure of global self-esteem and a new and more modern multiple-item measure of aspect-based self-esteem. Method: A two-stage method was used. The first stage consisted of a search of academic studies, main media coverage, and social media coverage of self-esteem issues to identify the main traditional and contemporary ones. The second stage consisted of in-depth qualitative interviews to develop the two questionnaires. Results: Serious problems with the major existing measures of self-esteem were found and were taken into account in developing the two new measures. Two new measures are offered: the GSE-1, a new single-item measure of global self-esteem, and the ASE-13, a new aspect-based measure of self-esteem. Conclusions: The new global measure and aspect-based measure of self-esteem are suggested to be the most efficient and up-to-date measures available. They are easily translatable into other languages using Google Translate or similar, but should be checked for local wording before use.

Exercise and self-esteem model: Validity in a sample of healthy female adolescents

Low self-esteem is frequently identified as source of personality, anxiety and body image disorders among adolescent females. The Exercise Self-Esteem Model (EXSEM) is a framework that embodies the multidimensional and hierarchical structure of global self-esteem and its relationship to physical activity and has been effective in guiding the design of physical activity interventions. Although this model has been tested with a variety of populations, it remains to be validated in adolescent females. Additionally, we sought to expand the original model by investigating how additional parameters of body fat and cardiovascular fitness independently contributed to physical and global domains of self-esteem. Ninety-four adolescent females (Mage = 15.6 ± 1.7) completed validated measures of global self-esteem, physical self-esteem and physical self-efficacy. Participants completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents to quantify habitual physical activity levels. Objective physical measurements included height, weight, body fat and cardiovascular fitness. The newly proposed expanded-EXSEM model provided a good model-data fit tested using structural equation modeling (χ2 = 4.54 (p = .21), CFI = .99, RMSEA = 0.07, SRMR = 0.02) compared to the original EXSEM. Physical activity levels were significantly associated with both cardiovascular fitness and body fat and were a positive predictor of physical self-efficacy. Physical self-efficacy, cardiovascular fitness, and body fat were all predictors of physical self-esteem, which directly affected global self-esteem. Our data validates the expanded-EXSEM model in a sample of adolescent females and identifies targets for interventions to change global self-esteem as well as sub-domains of physical self-esteem. While changing fitness variables may be effective in targeting perceptions of body-esteem alone, physical activity participation still remains the primary determinant to bring about the cascade of positive changes in physical self-efficacy and self-esteem in this population.

Psychometric Properties of the Body Checking Questionnaire (BCQ) and of the Body Checking Cognitions Scale (BCCS): A Bifactor-Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling Approach.

This research sought to assess the psychometric properties of the French versions of the Body Checking Questionnaire and the Body Checking Cognitions Scale among community samples. A total sample of 922 adolescents and adults was involved in a series of two studies. The results from the first study supported factor validity and reliability of responses obtained on these two measures, and showed that both measures were best represented by a bifactor-exploratory structural equation modeling representation of the data. The results from the second study replicated these conclusions, while also supporting the measurement invariance of the bifactor-exploratory structural equation modeling solution and the equivalence of the correlations among the two measures (i.e., convergent validity) across samples. This second study also supported the criterion-related validity of ratings on both measures with measures of global self-esteem, physical appearance, social physique anxiety, fear of negative appearance evaluation, and disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors. Finally, the results of this last study also supported the measurement invariance and lack of differential item functioning of both measures in relation to sex, age, diagnosis of eating disorders, and body mass index.

Perception of Global Self-Esteem and Body Fat in Adolescents Engaged in Basketball

Mental and moral maturity, growth, appearance, physical skills are nowadays more and more often used as reference points of our identity and emphasized in adolescence (Harter, 1999). Development of physical self-concept’s domains (e. g. appearance, self-esteem, physical competences, etc) has been a major concern among physical activity researchers during the last decade (Fox, 2000). The study examined the relation between the separate specific domains of physical self-concept: global self-esteem (the overall positive or negative feeling about one’s self) and body fat considering age and gender in adolescents — basketball players. Global self-esteem is understood as the overall positive or negative feeling about one’s self; or generalized feelings of self-worth which are not specific to a particular situation, but which apply to many activities or areas of life and predispose the subject to view new activities in particular ways (Macek, Lacinová, 2006). And body fat — an attitude towards you body fat directly (I think my stomach is too big; I have too much fat on my body; I am overweight; etc. (Marsh et al., 1994). Our study sample consisted of 95 adolescents — basketball players (54 males and 41 females) from different sport gymnasiums and clubs in Prague and Brno (Czech Republic). The respondents were divided into two age groups (Ist — 13—15 years of age and the IInd —16—18 years of age). An ordinary Introductory Questionnaire of 20 items was compiled in order to describe the population. The questionnaire was compiled by the first author of the current study. The variables were assessed by the Physical Self Description Questionnaire (PSDQ, Marsh et al., 1994). Both questionnaires were anonymous. To ensure uniformity in the administration of the questionnaire, the same set of directions were followed each time by the same researcher. To analyze the interaction effects for our researched factors (gender and age involvement), MANOVA (Multivariate Analysis of Variance) and correlation were calculated. Significance level was chosen to be 10%. The results proved our assumption that females tended to have more negative evaluation of the body fat then males regardless of their age. The second part focused on the measures of global self-esteem. The differences in the evaluation on global self-esteem were revealed by age, but not by gender. Global self-esteem was found to be more positive in younger adolescents —basketball players — than in older players regardless of their gender (p < 0.01).Keywords: global self-esteem, body fat, adolescence, age, gender, basketball.

Development of the Global Self-Esteem Measure: A Pilot Study

In the current study, we present the development of the Global Self-Esteem (GSE) measure. The six-item GSE fulfills a need for a short unidimensional measure of global self-esteem conceptualized as “overall positive view of self.” The construct is traditionally measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE); however, several important shortcomings of the scale have been highlighted in the recent research. To improve the operationalization of global self-esteem, the shortcomings of the RSE and of the other measures intended to measure the construct are addressed in the construction of the GSE. Initial psychometric characteristics of the GSE, obtained in a pilot study, are reported. The results of exploratory factor analysis indicated unidimensionality of the measure—a single factor accounted for 78% of the variance in the GSE items, and the magnitude of factor loadings ranged from .81 to .91. Internal consistency reliability was high (ordinal α = .95), and expected relations between the GSE scores and other self-esteem measures were found. The utility of the measure and goals for future research are discussed in the context of limitations of the current study.

Intervention effects and mediators of well-being in a school-based physical activity program for adolescents: The ‘Resistance Training for Teens’ cluster RCT

ObjectiveTo examine the impact of a school-based physical activity intervention on adolescents' self-esteem and subjective well-being, and to explore moderators and mediators of intervention effects. MethodsResistance Training for Teens was evaluated using a cluster RCT in 16 schools located in New South Wales, Australia. Adolescents (N = 508; 14.1 ± 0.5 years; 49.6% female) completed measures of global self-esteem, subjective well-being, and hypothesized mediators (i.e., perceived fitness, resistance training self-efficacy, and autonomous motivation) at baseline (April–June, 2015) and post-intervention (October–December). The school-based physical activity program was delivered by teachers over 10-weeks via Physical Education, co-curricular school sport, or an elective subject known as Physical Activity and Sport Studies, and involved once-weekly fitness sessions and additional lunch-time sessions. Intervention effects and moderator analyses were tested using multi-level linear regression analyses with interaction terms. Multi-level mediation analyses were used to explore potential mediators of changes in well-being outcomes. ResultsIntervention effects for self-esteem (β = 0.05, p = .194) and wellbeing (β = 0.03, p = .509) were not statistically significant. Moderator analyses showed effects for self-esteem were greater for the overweight/obese subgroup (p = .069 for interaction), and resistance training self-efficacy was a significant mediator of changes in self-esteem (product-of-coefficients [AB] = 0.021, SE = 0.010, 95% CIs = 0.002 to 0.040). No other significant indirect effects were observed. ConclusionOverall, Resistance Training for Teens did not improve adolescents' self-esteem or subjective well-being. However, our mediation findings lend support to resistance training self-efficacy as a mechanism explaining the positive effect of resistance training on self-esteem.

Comparison of self-esteem in physically disabled people according to participating sports<p>Spor yapma durumlarına göre bedensel engelli bireylerin benlik saygısının karşılaştırılması

The aim of the study was to compare of self-esteem in physically disabled adults between who particapated in sports or do not.In totally one-hundred and six physically disabled adults aged between 18 to 45 years who particapated in sports (n=62) and sedantary (n=54) participated in the study. Self-esteem of the participants were assessed using Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The scale is consist a 10-item measure of global self-esteem. Maximal score of the scale is 30. Average age of participants who particapated in sports and do not sports were 27,00±8,19 and 31,76±8,06 years, respectively. 49 (42.2%) of the participants were female and 67 (57.8%) were male. 37(31.9%) of the participants were wheelchair users, 27(23.3%) were mobile with a walking aid and 52(48.8%) were mobile without a walking aid. The length of participating sports were 5,51±5,04 years in adults who participated in sports. 58 of the respondents (50.0%) disabled before birth, 19 (16.4%), disabled during birth, and 39 (33.6%) were disabled after birth. 36 (31.0%) of the participants were employed and 80 (69.0%) were not employed.Self-esteem level of physically disabled adults who particapated in sports were higher compared with physically disabled adults who sedantary physically disabled adults (p<0.05). The self-esteem of male participants was higher than that of women (p <0.05). However, there was no difference in self-esteem in terms of working status, disability reasons and mobility status (p> 0.05). Our results suggest that participation in sports activity improved self-esteem in physically disabled adults and the self-esteem of male participants was higher than that of women. Extended English abstract is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file. ÖzetÇalışmamızın amacı spor yapan ve yapmayan bedensel engelli bireylerin benlik saygısı düzeyini karşılaştırmaktır. Çalışmamıza 62 spor yapan, 54 sedanter olmak üzere toplam 116 fiziksel engeli olan birey katıldı. Katılımcıların benlik saygısı Rosenberg Benlik Saygısı Ölçeği kullanılarak değerlendirildi. Ölçek genel benlik saygısını ölçen 10 maddeden oluşmaktadır. Ölçekten alınabilecek en yüksek puan 30’dur.Spor yapan ve yapmayan bedensel engelli bireylerin yaş ortalaması sırasıyla 27,00 ±8,19 ve 31,76±8,06 yıldır. Katılımcıların 49’u (%42,2) kadın, 67’si (%57,8) erkektir. Katılımcıların 37’si (%31.9) tekerlekli sandalye kullanıcısı, 27’si (%23.3) yürüme yardımcısı kullanmakta (mobilize) ve 52’si (%44.8) yürüme yardımcısı kullanmamaktadır. Spor yapan bedensel engellilerin spor yapma süreleri 5,51 ±5,04 yıldır.Katılımcıların 58’i(%50,0) doğum öncesi, 19’u (%16,4) doğum sırası ve 39’u (%33,6) doğum sonrası nedenlerle engellidir. Katılımcıların 36’sı (%31,0) işte çalışmakta, 80’i (%69,0) çalışmamaktadır.Spor yapan bedensel engellilerin benlik saygısı düzeyi sedanter katılımcılarla karşılaştırıldığında daha yüksektir (p<0.05). Erkek katılımcıların benlik saygısı kadınlara gore daha yüksektir (p<0.05). Ancak çalışma durumu, engel nedeni, mobilizasyon durumu açısından benlik saygısında farklılık yoktur (p>0.05).Çalışmamızın sonuçları spor aktivitesine katılımın bedensel engelli erişkinlerde benlik saygısını geliştirdiğini ve erkeklerin benlik saygısının kadınlara göre daha yüksek olduğunu düşündürmüştür.

The Lifespan Self-Esteem Scale: Initial Validation of a New Measure of Global Self-Esteem

ABSTRACTThis article introduces the Lifespan Self-Esteem Scale (LSE), a short measure of global self-esteem suitable for populations drawn from across the lifespan. Many existing measures of global self-esteem cannot be used across multiple developmental periods due to changes in item content, response formats, and other scale characteristics. This creates a need for a new lifespan scale so that changes in global self-esteem over time can be studied without confounding maturational changes with alterations in the measure. The LSE is a 4-item measure with a 5-point response format using items inspired by established self-esteem scales. The scale is essentially unidimensional and internally consistent, and it converges with existing self-esteem measures across ages 5 to 93 (N = 2,714). Thus, the LSE appears to be a useful measure of global self-esteem suitable for use across the lifespan as well as contexts where a short measure is desirable, such as populations with short attention spans or large projects assessing multiple constructs. Moreover, the LSE is one of the first global self-esteem scales to be validated for children younger than age 8, which provides the opportunity to broaden the field to include research on early formation and development of global self-esteem, an area that has previously been limited.

Extending Structural Analyses of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale to Consider Criterion-Related Validity: Can Composite Self-Esteem Scores Be Good Enough?

abstractAlthough the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) is the most widely used measure of global self-esteem in the literature, there are ongoing disagreements about its factor structure. This methodological debate informs how the measure should be used in substantive research. Using a sample of 1,127 college students, we test the overall fit of previously specified models for the RSES, including a newly proposed bifactor solution (McKay, Boduszek, & Harvey, 2014). We extend previous work by evaluating how various latent factors from these structural models are related to a set of criterion variables frequently studied in the self-esteem literature. A strict unidimensional model poorly fit the data, whereas models that accounted for correlations between negatively and positively keyed items tended to fit better. However, global factors from viable structural models had similar levels of association with criterion variables and with the pattern of results obtained with a composite global self-esteem variable calculated from observed scores. Thus, we did not find compelling evidence that different structural models had substantive implications, thereby reducing (but not eliminating) concerns about the integrity of the self-esteem literature based on overall composite scores for the RSES.

Who am I? The interactive effect of early family experiences and self-esteem in predicting self-clarity

Previous research suggests that inconsistencies between self-esteem and social feedback reduce feelings of coherence. The current research tested effects of discrepancies between people’s self-esteem and feedback they received in the form of chronic early family experiences. In two studies, participants completed measures of global self-esteem, perceived early family experiences, and self-clarity. Early family experiences that were inconsistent with participants’ current self-views (i.e., negative experiences for high self-esteem, positive experiences for low self-esteem) were associated with lower self-clarity; in contrast, consistent experiences were associated with higher self-clarity. These findings have implications for understanding the development of self-clarity and suggest novel consequences of early family experiences.

On the factor structure of the Rosenberg (1965) General Self-Esteem Scale.

Since its introduction, the Rosenberg General Self-Esteem Scale (RGSE, Rosenberg, 1965) has been 1 of the most widely used measures of global self-esteem. We conducted 4 studies to investigate (a) the goodness-of-fit of a bifactor model positing a general self-esteem (GSE) factor and 2 specific factors grouping positive (MFP) and negative items (MFN) and (b) different kinds of validity of the GSE, MFN, and MFP factors of the RSGE. In the first study (n = 11,028), the fit of the bifactor model was compared with those of 9 alternative models proposed in literature for the RGSE. In Study 2 (n = 357), the external validities of GSE, MFP, and MFN were evaluated using objective grade point average data and multimethod measures of prosociality, aggression, and depression. In Study 3 (n = 565), the across-rater robustness of the bifactor model was evaluated. In Study 4, measurement invariance of the RGSE was further supported across samples in 3 European countries, Serbia (n = 1,010), Poland (n = 699), and Italy (n = 707), and in the United States (n = 1,192). All in all, psychometric findings corroborate the value and the robustness of the bifactor structure and its substantive interpretation.

Externally Contingent and Unstable Self‐Worth as Predictors of Depression in College Women: A 3‐Month Study

Undergraduate women completed measures of externally contingent self‐worth, self‐esteem instability, and depression at the beginning (Time 1) and again 3 months later near the end (Time 2) of an academic semester. Findings indicated that when Time 1 depression scores were controlled for, each Time 1 facet of self‐esteem made significant contributions to Time 2 depression scores. Implications of these findings for the counseling of depressed college students are discussed.

Self-esteem and evaluative beliefs in paranoia

Background and objectivesPsychological models have implicated negative self-esteem as an important factor underlying paranoia. However, research investigating the role of self-esteem in paranoia suffers from poor conceptual and methodological understanding, resulting in conflicting findings. Central to this problem is the use of measures investigating global self-esteem and self-evaluative beliefs interchangeably. In the present study we aimed to analyze differences in self-esteem domains and self-evaluation. MethodsThe present study used interviews and questionnaires to compare a clinical sample of participants who were currently paranoid (n = 55) with healthy controls (n = 57) on global self-esteem domains and negative evaluative beliefs, in order to investigate the multi-faceted role of “the self”. ResultsThere was no significant difference in self-esteem domains between groups, highlighting that self-esteem is preserved in currently paranoid individuals. However, the paranoid group had significantly more negative evaluative beliefs. Interestingly, our global measures of self-esteem and measures of negative evaluative beliefs were uncorrelated, highlighting the importance of understanding the differences underlying these concepts. LimitationsThis study does not address dynamic aspects of self-esteem and self-evaluation. ConclusionsThe present study provides undeniable evidence to investigate self-concept dimensions separately. These findings must be considered by researchers interested in the role of the self in the onset and maintenance of paranoia.

Will I Ever Think I’m Thin Enough? A Moderated Mediation Study of Women’s Contingent Self-Esteem, Body Image Discrepancies, and Disordered Eating

Low levels of global self-esteem have been shown to be associated with disordered eating such that individuals who possess more negative attitudes about themselves tend to report more disordered eating symptoms. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether appearance-based contingent self-esteem (i.e., the degree to which individuals base their self-esteem on their physical appearance) and actual–ideal body image discrepancies influence this association. This goal was accomplished with a sample of 877 college women who completed measures of global self-esteem, body image, appearance-based contingent self-esteem, and eating behaviors. A moderated mediation analysis showed that actual–ideal body image discrepancies mediated the association between global self-esteem and disordered eating and that this simple mediation was further moderated by appearance-based contingent self-esteem. Discussion focuses on the implications of these findings for the ways in which actual–ideal body image discrepancies and appearance-based contingent self-esteem influence the association between global self-esteem and disordered eating. Future research aimed at improving intervention and prevention of eating disorders should address the extent to which individuals base their self-worth on their appearance and consider whether reducing appearance-based contingencies of self-worth may protect individuals from developing patterns of disordered eating.

Evaluation of the factor structure of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale in older adults

The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale is the most utilized measure of global self-esteem. Although psychometric studies have generally supported the uni-dimensionality of this 10-item scale, more recently, a stable, response-bias has been associated with the wording of the items (Marsh, Scalas, & Nagengast, 2010). The purpose of this report was to replicate Marsh et al.’s findings in a sample of older adults and to test for invariance across time, gender and levels of education. Our results indicated that indeed a response-bias does exist in esteem responses. Researchers should investigate ways to meaningfully examine and practically overcome the methodological challenges associated with the RSE scale.

Anticipating evaluative social interactions involving persons with disabilities.

Similar to other types of social interactions, the expected outcomes of interactions between persons with and without disabilities likely are influenced by global self-esteem such that individuals with high self-esteem should fare better than those with low self-esteem. The present set of laboratory studies examined whether simple and complex evaluative situations affect the role of self-esteem when anticipating interactions with individuals who have a physical disability. In Study 1, participants completed a measure of global self-esteem and then were randomly assigned to expect either a brief (5 minutes) or extended (45 minutes) interaction with a confederate in a wheelchair. Participants then completed measures of state affect and meta-evaluations (expected evaluations from the partner). Study 2 replicated the design of Study 1 and additionally randomly assigned participants to be outcome-dependent on the partner or not. Study 1 found that individuals reported affective experiences and expected meta-evaluations that were consistent with global self-esteem when expecting a brief interaction but not an extended interaction with the partner. Study 2 replicated and extended the results from Study 1, demonstrating that self-esteem resumed a priority when participants expected an extended interaction that also placed the participant in an outcome-dependent role. Taken together, the results seem to support a dilution of the role of self-esteem in simple evaluative situations but not in situations that are nonevaluative or situations with combined evaluative factors.