Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES)

The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) is a brief and widely used instrument to measure global self-esteem by assessing both positive and negative feelings about the self. The scale was designed as a unidimensional scale, yet factor analysis was used to recognize the factors of self-esteem and self-regard that were positively or negatively related to the statements formulated. The method includes 10 items: 5 formulated positively and 5 negatively.

Length of completion

The entire scale takes approximately 2-3 minutes to complete.

Individualized feedback for the respondent

After scoring the questionnaire, the respondent is given information about the level of his/her self-assessment.

Keywords

Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, RSES, self-esteem, self-esteem, self-reduction

Scoring and interpretation

The total score is calculated by summing all item scores, with items 3, 5, 8, 9, 10 being reversed. Items can be scored either from 0 to 3 (total score 0-30) or from 1 to 4 (total score 10-40). Either way, higher scores indicate higher levels of self-esteem.

Response Scale

Respondents indicate their level of agreement or disagreement with each item on a four-point Likert-type scale: ‘Strongly agree’ (3 or 4), ‘Agree’ (2 or 3), ‘Disagree’ (1 or 2) and ‘Strongly disagree’ (0 or 1).

References

Blatný, M., Urbánek, T., & Osecká, L. (2006). Structure of Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale: Three-factor solution. Studia Psychologica, 48(4), 371-378. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287594381_Structure_of_Rosenberg's_Self-Esteem_Scale_Three-factor_solution

Čerešník, M., Dolejš, M., Čerešníková, M., & Tomšik, R. (2022). Psychometric Analysis of Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale. A Specific Application of the Scale on Adolescents Aged 11-19. TEM Journal, 11(4), 1732-1741. https://doi.org/10.18421/TEM114-39

Gnambs, T., Scharl, A., & Schroeders, U. (2018). The structure of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale: A cross-cultural meta-analysis. Zeitschrift für Psychologie, 226(1), 14–29. https://doi.org/10.1027/2151-2604/a000317

Halama, P., & Biescad, M. (2006). Psychometrická analýza rosenbergovej skály sebahodnotenia s pouzitím metód klasickej teórie testov (CTT) a teórie odpovede na polozku (IRT)1. Ceskoslovenska Psychologie, 50(6), 569-583. https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/psychometrická-analýza-rosenbergovej-skály/docview/235722430/se-2

Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the Adolescent Self-Image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/9781400876136