Self-esteem Levels in a Representative Sample of Spanish Adolescents: Analysis and Standardization

Abstract

The objective of the present study was the standardization of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES; Rosenberg, 1989), adapted and validated by Martín-Albo et al. (2007) in the Spanish population at the secondary education stage. The sample consisted of 25,706 students, selected randomly. The analysis of the data obtained indicated an adequate factorial structure of the instrument and its invariance by sex. For a better adaptation of the scale, a division of the test was carried out according to the self-deprecation and self-confidence variables. The scales indicated an increase in self-confidence across both sexes with increasing age, but the girls’ scores were lower than the boys’ at all ages. The present research provides a self-esteem scale for Spanish adolescents through an assessment instrument that is easily applicable and accessible for the educational community.

Keywords

• self-esteem
• adolescents
• standardization
• invariance