Measuring Self-Esteem with Expanded Format in a Fraction of Time: ESE-S and ESE-US.

Abstract

Despite the ubiquity of Likert format scales, they are not without problems-distorted dimensionality being one of the most serious. Zhang and Savalei proposed an alternative to Likert format called the Expanded format, in which each response option in the Likert scale is replaced with a series of complete statements. In response to their recent call, the purpose of the present study is to develop concise but valid Expanded format scales for the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Short (four-item) and ultra-short (two-item) scales were constructed, and their validity was examined in four studies. Results showed both new scales had good psychometric properties (dimensionality, reliability, and validity). Therefore, they would seem to be practical alternatives to the RSES for future research.