The use of the Coopersmith self-esteem inventory

Abstract

This study investigated whether the conditions in which the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory was administered had any effect on subjects’ scores on the Inventory. The study also examined normative and reliability scores in the ACT, the effect of various demographic variables and the relationship between happiness scores and self-esteem. The Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory was administered to groups of year seven students from a Canberra high school under two different conditions: friendly and impartial. After five weeks the Inventory was readministered to rearranged groups under the different conditions. No significant differences were found in the scores from the students in the different conditions. No significant differences were found on an indication of student happiness under each condition. A normative value was calculated combining scores from the first testing sessions and a test-retest reliability correlation calculated from combined scores from the first and second testing sessions. The validity of the lie scale and the use of the Inventory in Australia are discussed. With a few reservations it appears that the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory measures a relatively stable trait and is a reliable measure of overall self-esteem. A summary of recent literature using the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory is included. Mean self-esteem scores on the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory were compared with students grouped by sex, socio-economic status, birth order, whether they came from a single parent family or whether their mother worked. Significant differences were found with SES and birth order but recent literature shows that these variables are often interrelated and results may be instrument dependent. New self-concept tests (based on a sound theoretical framework) are being developed which acknowledge the multidimensionality of self-concept and appear more able to detect variation in facets of self-concept.

Date of Award	1987
Original language	English