Validation of the French version of a Multidimensional Self-Esteem and Self-Concept Clarity Scale

JAMIE KALFF, KRYSTINA SANCHEZ, BAPTISTE BARBOT, PH.D

Purposeo Validate the French translation of Self-Concept Clarity Scale (SCCS; Campbell, 1996)

oExamine the Multidimensional Scale of Self-Esteem (EMES) with 6 domain specific self-esteem scales in comparison with the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (SPPA; Harter, 1986)

Domain Specificity in Self-Esteem

oSelf-esteem as a whole.

oCurrently, self-esteem is believed to be made up of multiple domains. Self-Esteem

Creativity Social

Scholastic

PhysicalEmotional

Future

Self-Concept Clarity

“The extent to which the contents of an individual’s self-concept (perceived personal attributes) are clearly and confidently defined, internally consistent, and temporally stable.” (Campbell, 1990)

Self-Concept Clarity TranslationsoEstonian (Matto & Realo, 2001)

oTurkish (Sumer & Gungor, 1999)

oPolish (Besta et al, n.d.)

oDutch (De Dreu & van Knippenberg, 2005)

oGerman (Stucke & Sporer, 2002)

oChinese (J. Wu & Watkins, 2009)

oNorwegian (Perry et al, 2008)

oJapanese (Brown, 2006)

Method

oParticipantso388 French adolescents, results taken from 2005 and 2007

o Ages: 15.0 to 19.8 (mean of 17.14, SD of 1.106)

oMeasuresoSelf- Concept Clarity Scale (SCCS) – 16 questions

oMultidimensional Scale of Self-Esteem (EMES) - 52 questions

oSelf Perception Profile for Adolescents (SPPA) – 45 questions

“In general, I have a clear sense of who I am and what I am.”

“ “I am able to invent all sorts of things that others would not think of.”

“I am often anxious.” (Reverse Scored)

“I trust in my future.”

“I am proud of my body.”

“My teachers are satisfied with my academic performance.”

“I like collective activities.”

SCC

Scholastic

Physical

Future

Emotion

Creativity

Social

Results: EMES and SCCS Reliability

Creativity: .766

Scholastic: .767

Physical: .802

Social: .636

Self-Concept Clarity: .837

Emotion: .764

Future: .607

Creativity: .806

Scholastic: .737

Physical: .808

Social: .835

Self-Concept Clarity: .881

Emotion: .823

Future: .836

Internal Consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha) Test/Retest Reliability (ICC)

Results: SPPA Reliability

Academic: .565

Social: .687

Athletic: .683

Physical: .723

Professional: .625

Intimate Relationships:

.478

Behavior: .516

Friendship: .592

Global Self Worth: .676

Internal Consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha)

Criterion Validity in EMES & SPPA

Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (SPPA)

EMES

Academic Social Athletic Physical Proftl IntimR BehavR Friendship GlbSW

CCS -.164 -.104 -.110 -.287 .010 -.065 -.202 -.111 -.363

Crea -.138 -.090 -.034 -.112 -.059 -.006 -.008 -.111 -.132

Soc -.121 -.287 -.189 -.259 -.109 -.262 -.287 -.305 -.394

Sco -.262 .113 .049 .003 .076 .122 -.158 .023 -.087

Phys -.100 -.153 -.338 -.507 .036 -.173 -.051 -.005 -.333

Fut -.010 -.101 -.026 -.085 -.074 -.083 -.122 -.120 -.195

Emo -.163 -.222 -.220 -372 -.009 -.166 -.174 -.079 -.416

Discussion

oWe found the French translated SCCS to be a reliable scale.

oThe EMES domains proved to be a better measure of self-esteem domain specificity than the previously validated SPPA scale.

Participant Example

Implications/Further ResearchoThe translated SCC can be used on further French studies regarding Self-Concept Clarity.

oThis study showed weak results for the future and social domains. Researchers could eliminate these domains on future scales.

oMore evidence of validity should be gathered.

Creativity

Social

Scholastic

PhysicalFuture

Emotion

Self-Concept Clarity

ReferencesCampbell, J. D., Trapnell, P. D., Heine, S. J., Katz, I. M., Lavallee, L. F., & Lehman, D. R. (1996). Self-

concept clarity: Measurement, personality correlates, and cultural boundaries. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(1), 141.

De Dreu, C. K. W., & van Knippenberg, D. (2005). The possessive self as a barrier to conflict resolution: Effects of mere ownership, process accountability, and self-concept clarity on competitive cognitions and behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89(3), 345–357.

Harter S. Self-Perception Profilefor Adolescents. Denver, CO: University of Denver Press; 1988

Matto, H., & Realo, A. (2001). The Estonian self-concept clarity scale: Psychometric properties and personality correlates. Personality and Individual Differences, 30(1), 59–70.

Marsh, H. W. (1986). Verbal and math self-concepts: An internal/ external frame of reference model. American Educational Research Journal, 23. 129-149

Stucke, T. S., & Sporer, S. L. (2002). When a Grandiose Self-Image Is Threatened: Narcissism and Self-Concept Clarity as Predictors of Negative Emotions and Aggression Following Ego- Threat. Journal of Personality, 70(4), 509–532.