Psychometric Analysis of Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale. A Specific Application of the Scale on Adolescents Aged 11-19

Abstract

The paper presents a psychometric analysis of Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale and its interpretation in the context of a population sample of Czech adolescents. The theoretical background includes a description of a general model of selfconcept with a focus on the component of self-esteem. We point out the link between personal and social variables in the establishment of one’s self-esteem and the relationship between its establishment and school performance in the period of adolescence. Research data were collected from 7,733 adolescents aged 11-19 in the Czech Republic attending elementary schools, general secondary schools, and specialized secondary schools (ISCED 2 and 3). Their average age was 14.75 year (SD = 2.22). The psychometric analysis used a confirmatory factor analysis and the Item Response Theory (IRT) method. The results of analysis pointed out that during the period of adolescence, the score in Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale may be interpreted as a unidimensional construct.