Development and Validation of Two Measures of Contingent Self-Esteem
Author(s): Maarit Johnson, Victoria Blom
Abstract: Defining contingent self-esteem (SE) as a structure arising from low basic SE and different self-validation needs, Competence based SE and Relation based SE scales were developed and validated in two independent samples (N = 215, N = 116). Confirmatory factor analyses conducted on 27 items of 62 original contingent SE items verified competence and relationships as distinct means of self validation in both samples. Further confirmatory analyses revealed two dimensions of Competence based SE: i) SE conditional upon competence and ii) frustrated self critical strivings, and three dimensions of Relation based SE: i) SE conditional upon love, ii) fear of rejection, and iii) compliance. The Competence based SE scale correlated positively with perfectionism and ‘toxic’ achieving, and the Relation based SE scale with affiliation and dependency needs. Further validity is provided by the constructs' relation to the basic and earning SE model and by semantic differential tests of meanings attached to the words ‘work’ and ‘relationships’. The scales provide internally consistent and valid measures of contingent SE useful for researchers and applied professionals.
Pages: 300-328
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