Brief Description

The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale is a widely used self-report instrument for measuring global self-esteem in adults. It includes 10 statements that assess overall self-acceptance, incorporating both positive and negative self-evaluations. Responses are provided on a four-point Likert scale ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree.”

Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale [RSES-10-2]

Description

The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale [RSES-10-2] is a widely used 10-item self-report instrument designed to assess global self-esteem and an individual’s overall sense of self-worth. It includes both positively and negatively worded statements.

Purpose

The main purpose of the scale is to assess the extent to which individuals:

  • accept and value themselves,
  • experience a sense of personal worth,
  • maintain an overall positive or negative view of themselves.

Scoring

The 10 items are rated on a four-point Likert scale. Five items are positively worded and five are negatively worded, with the negatively phrased items requiring reverse scoring.

Depending on the scoring convention used, total scores may range from 0–30 or 10–40, with higher scores indicating higher self-esteem.

Psychometric Properties

The RSES has demonstrated strong reliability and validity across many populations and research settings. Greek adaptations have also shown satisfactory internal consistency and validity.

Applications

The RSES is widely used in psychological, educational, social, and clinical research to examine self-esteem, psychological adjustment, anxiety, depression, well-being, and social functioning.

References

Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the Adolescent Self-Image. Princeton University Press.

Rosenberg, M. (1989). Society and the Adolescent Self-Image (Rev. ed.). Wesleyan University Press.