Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale: An Overview

How we feel about ourselves can change from day to day in relation to our experiences, including our successes and failures, but self-esteem is a more enduring measure of feelings of self-worth.

Self-esteem is an evaluation of how we view ourselves overall, positively or negatively. Someone who regards themselves positively has high self-esteem, while those who view themselves negatively have low self-esteem.

Self-esteem is one component of self-concept, along with others such as self-efficacy or mastery, and self-identities.

What is the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale?

Self-esteem can be measured using various methods, and one of the most widely used in mental health is the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), developed by Morris Rosenberg in 1965.

The RSES includes 10 statements, split evenly between positive and negative. Respondents choose from four options: “strongly disagree,” “disagree,” “agree,” or “strongly agree.” The RSES is public domain and can be adapted for different purposes, leading to multiple versions.

Psychological researchers prefer the RSES because it is straightforward, brief, and user-friendly.

How to Use the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale

Items on the RSES, though not listed in a specific order, often include these statements:

1. On the whole, I am satisfied with myself.
2. At times, I think I am no good at all.
3. I feel that I have a number of good qualities.
4. I am able to do things as well as most other people.
5. I feel I do not have much to be proud of.
6. I certainly feel useless at times.
7. I feel that I’m a person of worth, at least on an equal plane with others.
8. I wish I could have more respect for myself.
9. All in all, I am inclined to feel that I am a failure.
10. I take a positive attitude toward myself.

How to Calculate the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale

To calculate your score, use the scoring key for the specific version of the RSES you have. Different versions may assign different values, and the question order can affect the results.

Typically, each item is scored from 0 to 3:

For positive statements (e.g., “I feel that I have a number of good qualities”):

• Strongly disagree: 0
• Disagree: 1
• Agree: 2
• Strongly agree: 3

For negative statements (e.g., “At times, I think I am no good at all”), the scores are reversed:

• Strongly disagree: 3
• Disagree: 2
• Agree: 1
• Strongly agree: 0

Most versions provide a key to indicate which items are scored in reverse, either by marking or listing item numbers. Note that some versions use a different scale, ranging from 1 to 4.

Add up the numbers to find your total score.

Interpreting Results

Scores from the RSES depend on the value assigned to each response, typically ranging from 0–30 or 10–40.

There is no universally agreed cutoff for what constitutes low or high self-esteem. The RSES should be used along with Rosenberg’s literature and other context-specific information.

The total score is sometimes categorized into three levels:

• Low (10–25): Indicates feelings of incompetence, inadequacy, and difficulty facing challenges
• Medium (26–29): Represents fluctuations between feelings of approval and rejection
• High (30–40): Reflects a self-perception of value, confidence, and competence

These ranges come from a study using a 1–4 scale and do not match those using a 0–3 system. Definitions and applications of self-esteem levels can differ.

Is the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale Reliable?

The reliability of the RSES is supported by research, though different studies debate how best to use it and interpret it. It’s recommended that the scale not be used alone or as a sole measure of self-esteem, but rather as part of an overall analysis.

The RSES is widely used. It has been translated into at least 28 languages and studied in at least 53 countries. As of February 2020, it has been cited over 40,000 times (according to Google Scholar) and used in almost 50% of empirical studies on self-esteem published in major scientific journals.

The development of self-esteem starts in childhood and many factors influence it, including:

Self-esteem in adults is typically stabler and harder to influence, but positive change can happen.

Helping Children Build Positive Self-Esteem

Ways you can help foster self-esteem in children include:

• Kind words
• Encouragement
• Telling them the good you see in them
• Noticing when they try new things or learn to do something
• Helping them build a positive and healthy “inner voice”
• Being patient
• Listening to them
• Speaking to them respectfully
• Giving them appropriate attention and affection
• Acknowledging and accepting their mistakes or failures

Raising Self-Esteem in Teens and Adults

Talking to a mental health professional is a good start for working on improving your self-esteem. They can offer techniques to change deep-rooted thought processes and help you work through your feelings and experiences, past and present.

Things to try in addition to professional help include:

• Spend time with those who treat you well
• Talk to yourself the same way you would talk to a good friend (be kind!)
• Do your best but accept when you’re not perfect
• Make realistic goals and work toward them
• Focus on the things that go well
• Help others
• Challenge the negative messages from your unfairly harsh inner critic
• Treat yourself with compassion
• Forgive yourself when you make mistakes
• Ask for help when you need it