Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES)
Rosenberg Self-Esteem Assessment
How do you really see yourself? The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale is the most cited self-esteem measure in psychology (50,000+ citations). 10 questions that get at your core sense of self-worth.
What Is the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES)?
The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) is a 10-item self-report measure of global self-esteem developed by sociologist Dr. Morris Rosenberg in 1965. It is the most widely used measure of self-esteem in social science research, with over 50,000 citations across psychology, sociology, medicine, and neuroscience.
How It Works
Each item is rated on a 4-point Likert scale:
- 0 = Strongly disagree
- 1 = Disagree
- 2 = Agree
- 3 = Strongly agree
What RSES Measures
The RSES captures a single global dimension of self-esteem — an individual's overall sense of worthiness as a human being. Unlike multi-faceted self-concept measures, the RSES deliberately measures global self-esteem rather than domain-specific self-evaluations.
Key characteristics of the construct:
- Global evaluation: Your overall attitude toward yourself, not specific abilities
- Stable trait: Moderately stable over time (test-retest r = .82-.88 over 2 weeks)
- Cross-cultural validity: Validated in dozens of languages and cultural contexts
Scoring
Total score range: 0–30 (higher = higher self-esteem)
| Score Range | Interpretation | Population Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 0–14 | Low self-esteem | Bottom ~15% |
| 15–25 | Normal self-esteem | Middle ~70% |
| 26–30 | High self-esteem | Top ~15% |
Psychometric Properties
- Internal consistency: Cronbach's alpha = .77-.88 across diverse samples
- Test-retest reliability: r = .82-.88 (2-week interval), r = .50-.60 (1-year)
- Convergent validity: Moderate to strong correlations with related measures (Coopersmith SEI r approx .60, single-item self-esteem r approx .55)
- Discriminant validity: Lower correlations with unrelated constructs (e.g., academic achievement r approx .20)
Clinical and Research Applications
- Mental health screening: Low self-esteem is a transdiagnostic risk factor for depression (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.8-3.4), anxiety, and eating disorders
- Outcome measurement: Used to track self-esteem changes in psychotherapy and intervention studies
- Longitudinal research: Self-esteem follows a U-shaped trajectory across the lifespan — high in childhood, declining in adolescence, rising through adulthood
- Cross-cultural studies: Factor structure is largely invariant across 53 countries, though mean scores vary culturally
References
Rosenberg, M. (1965). *Society and the adolescent self-image*. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Note: This screening tool is for informational purposes only. Self-esteem concerns that significantly impact daily functioning may benefit from professional mental health support.
Scoring Guide
Score range 0-30. Items 3, 5, 8, 9, 10 are reverse-scored. Higher scores indicate higher self-esteem. < 15 low, 15-25 normal, > 25 high. Cronbach's α = .77-.88 (cross-cultural validation).
Result Interpretation
After completing the 10 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:
- Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
- Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed instantly on screen. No account, email, or login required.