Rasch Analysis of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale for African American Students

• In Event: Instrument Development and Validation

Abstract

Effectively diagnosing African Americans’ mental health has posed an unresolved challenge. Rasch analysis was used in this study to assess the psychometric characteristics of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1965) for a sample of African-American university students. Exploratory factor analysis and Rasch analysis both supported unidimensionality of the measure, with that finding replicated for a random split of the sample into a calibration and a validation subsample. Response scale use was appropriate, person separation and reliability of person separation were adequate, and reflected similar results to prior research. No differential item functioning was found across sex, college ages group, marital status, or year in college. Implications for theory and research on multicultural mental health are discussed in the full paper.

Authors

• Courtney Tobiassen, University of Denver

• Kathy E. Green, University of Denver

• Ruth C.L. Chao, University of Denver