Contact: Hannie Comijs
Background
Self-esteem reflects a person's overall evaluation or appraisal of his or her own worth.
It is generally considered as an enduring personality characteristic, although normal, short-term variations occur. Self-esteem can apply to a specific dimension (for example, "I believe I am a good bridge player, and feel proud of that") or have global extent (for example, " On the whole, I am satisfied with myself"). In LASA global self-esteem is included.
Measurement instrument in LASA
Self-esteem is measured by an adapted version of Rosenberg Self-esteem scale (Rosenberg 1965), which consisted of 10 items, with categories ranging from 1=strongly agree to 5=strongly disagree. In LASA 4 items are included. The scale score is the sum of the ratings, with a range from 4 to 20 such that a higher rating indicates more self esteem. Self-esteem is part of the main interview.
Items:
1. On the whole, I am satisfied with myself
2. I am quite sure of myself
3. I certainly feel useless at times*
4. I have a positive attitude towards myself
* Item 3 needs to be reverse coded
Questionnaires (also includes documentation on Mastery)
LASAB027 (main interview: in English/in Dutch)
LASAC027/LAS2B027 (in English/in Dutch)
LASAD027/LASAE027/LASAF027/LASAG027/LASAH027 (in English/in Dutch)
Variable information (also includes documentation on Mastery)
LASAB027 (pdf)
LASAC027/LAS2B027 (pdf)
LASAD027/LASAE027/LASAF027/LASAG027/LASAH027 (pdf)
LASA*227 (constructed variables, pdf)
Previous use within LASA
Within LASA different self-esteem has been examined in relation with deteriorating health and well-being (Jonker et al. 2008; in press; vd Kamp et al 2008), and in relation to mastery (Schuijt & Deeg, 2006).
References
Jonker AA, Comijs HC, Knipscheer KCJM, & Deeg DJ. Persistent deterioration of functioning (PDF) and change in well-being in older persons. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research 2008, 20(5):461-8.
Jonker AGC, Comijs HC, Knipscheer CPM, Deeg DJH (2009). The role of coping resources on change in well-being during persistent health decline. Journal of Aging and Health, 21,8, 1063-1082.
Kamp K van de, Braam AW, Deeg DJ. [Shift in the self-perceived health of 55-64-year olds between 1992 and 2002]Tijdschr Gerontol Geriatr. 2008, 39(5):182-92. Dutch.
Rosenberg M. Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1965.
Schuijt-Lucassen NY, Deeg DJ. [Predicting loss of mastery in older adults]Tijdschr Gerontol Geriatr. 2006;37(6):243-53. Dutch.
