title: Are life satisfaction and self-esteem distinct constructs? A black South African perspective.
abstract: As part of a longitudinal project on Quality of Life, a study was undertaken to extend the applicability of the 5-item Satisfaction With Life Scale, developed in the USA, in South Africa. Data on basic sociodemographic characteristics, the scale, and the 10-item Rosenberg Self-esteem scale were available for 360 Black South Africans (151 men and 209 women), ages 21 to 83 years (M = 38.6 yr., SD = 10.3). Factor analysis applied to scale scores gave two factors, accounting for 71% of the variance. Factor I was loaded by 10 Self-esteem items and Factor II by four of the five Life Satisfaction items. Coefficient alpha was .77 for the Satisfaction With Life Scale and .97 for the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. Life Satisfaction was related to Self-esteem (r = .17, p < .01). It was concluded that Life Satisfaction and Self-esteem appear to be distinct, unitary constructs, but responses to Item 5 on the Satisfaction With Life Scale require cautious interpretation and may contribute to the weak r, although so may the collectivist culture of Black South Africans.
authors.affiliation: Health and Development Research Group, Medical Research Council, Private Bag X385, Pretoria 0001, South Africa. margaret.westaway@mrc.ac.za
authors.forename: Margaret S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Westaway
authors.forename: Constance S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Maluka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001290:Attitude / Q000208:ethnology*; D044383:Black People; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires