title: On the factor structure of the Rosenberg (1965) General Self-Esteem Scale.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Sapienza, University of Rome.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alessandri
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Sapienza, University of Rome.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vecchione
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Arizona State University.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eisenberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Lublin.
authors.forename: Mariola
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Łaguna
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult