Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

7-2008

Abstract

We examined the differential item functioning (DIF) of Rosenberg's (1965) Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and compared scores from U.S. participants with those from 7 other countries: Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Kenya, South Africa, Singapore, and Taiwan. Results indicate that DIF was present in all comparisons. Moreover, controlling for latent self-esteem, participants from individualistic countries had an easier time reporting high self-esteem on self-competence-related items, whereas participants from communal countries had an easier time reporting high self-esteem on self-liking items (Tafarodi & Milne, 2002). After adjusting for DIF, we found larger mean self-esteem differences between the countries than observed scores initially indicated. The suitability of the RSES, and the importance of examining DIF, for cross-cultural research are discussed.

Discipline

Organizational Behavior and Theory

Research Areas

Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources

Publication

Journal of Applied Social Psychology

Volume

38

Issue

7

First Page

1867

Last Page

1904

ISSN

1559-1816

Identifier

10.1111/j.1559-1816.2008.00372.x

Publisher

Wiley

Copyright Owner and License

Publisher

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2008.00372.x

Share

COinS