AN ITEM RESPONSE THEORY ANALYSIS OF THE ROSENBERG SELF-ESTEEM SCALE

The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, a widely used self-report instrument for evaluating individual self-esteem, was investigated using item res ponse theory. Factor analysis identified a single common factor, contr ary to some previous studies that extracted separate Self-Confidence a nd Self-Depreciation factors. A unidimensional model for graded item r esponses was fit to the data. A model that constrained the 10 items to equal discrimination was contrasted with a model allowing the discrim inations to be estimated freely. The test of significance indicated th at the unconstrained model better fit the data-that is, the 10 items o f the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale are not equally discriminating and a re differentially related to self-esteem. The pattern of functioning o f the items was examined with respect to their content, and observatio ns are offered with implications for validating and developing future personality instruments.