Self-Linking and Self-Competence as Dimensions of Global Self-Esteem: Initial Validation of a Measure

Abstract

Three studies were conducted to validate the conceptualization of global self-esteem as consisting of two dimensions: a sense of social worth, or self-liking, and a sense of personal efficacy, or self-competence. In Study 1, confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the a priori structure of the Self-Liking/Self-Competence Scale, a self-report instrument designed to measure the two dimensions. In Study 2, a second structural analysis showed the dimensionality of Rosenberg's (1965) Self-Esteem Scale to parallel the proposed dichotomy. In Study 3, self-liking and self-competence were related to several theoretically linked constructs--depression, self-perceived abilities, and perceived parental approval--with the resulting pattern of correlations supporting their conceptualization as substantively distinct dimensions. The implications of these findings for understanding global self-esteem are discussed.

On the factor structure of the Rosenberg (1965) General Self-Esteem Scale.

“…This interpretation is in line with the observation made by Tafarodi and Swann (1995) that, "high self-competence has an intrinsically positive and evaluative character" and "is cognitively characterized by the presence of a generalized expectancy for success" (p. 325).…”

“…This model is essentially a classical bifactor model (Chen et al, 2006;Reise, et al 2007), which accounted for the covariation among RGSE items in terms of a broad general factor (self-esteem) reflecting the overlap across all ten items, and two correlated factors that capture item wording effects. Model 10 is the five-factor model introduced by Tafarodi and colleagues (Tafarodi & Milne, 2002;Tafarodi & Swann, 1995), which includes a general factor of self-esteem, the two factors of self-acceptance and assessment, plus MFN and MFP.…”

Personality Correlates of Self-Esteem

“…Global self-esteem can also be broken down into facets. Some researchers emphasize domain-specific self-evaluations such as academic and social self-esteem (e.g., Coopersmith, 1967;Harter, 1985), whereas others emphasize conceptual distinctions such as selfliking and self-competence (e.g., Tafarodi & Swann, 1995). These different aspects of self-evaluation are likely to have different Big Five correlates.…”

Airline passengers’ continuance intention towards online check-in services: The role of personal innovativeness and subjective knowledge

“…Self-concept refers to the totality of the individual's thoughts and feelings having reference to himself as an object (Sirgy, 1982, p. 287). Self-concept is an important contributor to global evaluations of the self (Marsh, 1986;Tafarodi & Swann, 1995), and self-evaluation is an important source of intrinsic motivation (Shamir, House, & Arthur, 1993). People are motivated to perform activities that enhance their self-esteem while they try to maintain a consistent view of their self-concept over time (Gecas, 1982;Packard & Wooten, 2013).…”