Development of Short and Ultra-Short Forms of the Multidimensional Self-Esteem Scale

Abstract

Abstract. The multidimensional assessment of self-esteem plays an important role in self-esteem research. In this article, we present the development of a short form and an ultra-short form of the Multidimensional Self-Esteem Scale (MSES; Schütz et al., 2016 ). Items were selected by eliminating redundant items and by using a deterministic search algorithm in a sample of 644 adults ( Mage = 47.0). Construct validity was established by investigating the relations between each MSES short form and other constructs and cross-validating the factor structure of both short forms of the MSES in 674 adolescents ( Mage = 14.2) and in 425 adults from a preregistered study ( Mage = 49.1). Both short scales demonstrated satisfactory reliability and factorial validity in all samples. Analyses examining relations with the Big Five personality traits, narcissism, and academic achievement supported construct validity in all age groups. The present research indicates that the short versions of the MSES are economic and valid instruments for measuring multidimensional self-esteem in adolescents and adults. The short form (MSES-24) should be particularly useful in applied research settings with a need to reduce participants’ burden, whereas the ultra-short form (MSES-12) may prove convenient for panel studies and large-scale research with limited time capacities.

Stability and change in dispositional envy: Longitudinal evidence on envy as a stable trait

“…Moreover, life events that influence social status in a specific comparison domain might lead to changes in domain-specific envy: For example, a promotion that involves a pay raise might lead to a decrease in dispositional envy with regard to wealth, but not in other domains of dispositional envy. Future research should also examine if individual differences in the direction or magnitude of change in domain-specific dispositional envy across time are connected to changes in related psychological constructs such as domain-specific self-esteem (Rentzsch et al, 2022; Rentzsch & Gross, 2015), social comparison orientation (Alicke & Zell, 2008), and domain-specific narcissism (Grosz et al, 2021; Krizan & Johar, 2012), or changes in more objective indicators and life events (e.g., income, unemployment).…”

“…As an incentive, participants received personal feedback on their selfesteem profile after participating in the study. Assessments were conducted as part of the SELF (Self-Evaluations Across Life) study (Rentzsch, 2021), which was approved by the ethics committee of the University of Bamberg.…”

Power, Self-Esteem, and Body Image

“…The short form of the Multidimensional Self-Esteem Scale (MSES; Rentzsch et al, 2021) consists of 24 items (e.g., "Do you have a positive attitude toward yourself ?") and was used to measure trait self-esteem.…”

“…The short form of the Multidimensional Self-Esteem Scale ( MSES ; Rentzsch et al, 2021) consists of 24 items (e.g., “Do you have a positive attitude toward yourself?”) and was used to measure trait self-esteem. Some items are assessed with respect to intensity (1 = not at all to 7 = very much ), some with respect to frequency (1 = never to 7 = very often ).…”

The development and correlated change of narcissism and self-esteem in adulthood

“…2.The pre-registration was uploaded to the OSF on July 17, 2019 before we started collecting data for Wave 3. Although the measures of self-esteem and narcissism have been used in previous studies (Rentzsch et al, 2022; Rentzsch & Gross, 2015; Rentzsch & Schröder-Abé, 2018; Rentzsch & Schröder-Abé, 2022), narcissism has not been analyzed longitudinally prior to this pre-registration.…”