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How to measure self-esteem with one item? validation of the German single-item self-esteem scale (G-SISE)

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the German version of the Single-Item Self-Esteem Scale (G-SISE) is an appropriate instrument to measure the global self-esteem level. In three studies, the construct validity of G-SISE was analyzed. Study 1 (N = 522) found support for the convergence between G-SISE and the German Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (G-RSE), which is mostly used to assess the global self-esteem level. In Study 2a (N = 989), the associations between G-SISE, “Big Five” traits, subjective happiness and social support were analyzed. Results of Study 2b (N = 348) established the test-retest reliability of G-SISE over the time course of nine months. Taken together, the results show that the G-SISE is a valid, reliable and economical instrument for measuring the global self-esteem. Possible practical applications and limitations of G-SISE are discussed.

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Funding

The study was funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Professorship warded to Jürgen Margraf by the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation.

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  1. Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Massenbergstr. 9-13, 44787, Bochum, Germany

    Julia Brailovskaia & Jürgen Margraf

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  1. Julia Brailovskaia
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  2. Jürgen Margraf
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Correspondence to Julia Brailovskaia.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

This article does not contain any studies with animals performed by any of the authors.

The datasets during and/or analysed during the current study available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Brailovskaia, J., Margraf, J. How to measure self-esteem with one item? validation of the German single-item self-esteem scale (G-SISE). Curr Psychol 39, 2192–2202 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-018-9911-x

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