The Rosenberg self-esteem scale as a measure of self-esteem for the noninstitutionalized elderly

The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) demonstrates sound psychometric properties but has not been analyzed by item response theory (IRT). We used the Rasch model to determine the item-level psychometrics of the RSES in 986 noninstitutionalized elderly. The instrument showed appropriate item fit statistics and person separation index, but had limitations in the number and spread of items, unidimensionality, the logical progression of difficulty among the items, negative statements included in the rating scale, and the contextual relevance of items underlying the self-esteem construct. Based on clinical and cost implications, we offered suggestions to improve the RSES as a clinically meaningful measure of self-esteem in this population.