Validity and Composite Reliability of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale among UK University Students

The purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure and composite reliability of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) in sample of 761 U.K university students. Two competing models of the factor structure of the RSES were evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Fit indices indicated the two-factor solution (i.e., positive and negative self-esteem) was a better fit for the data than the one-factor model. This indicates the existence of two correlated, but distinct components of self-esteem in U.K. university students. Methodological and theoretical implications that arise for these findings are discussed.