The development and validation of the Visual Analogue Self-Esteem Scale (VASES)

Br J Clin Psychol. 1999 Nov;38(4):387-400. doi: 10.1348/014466599162980.

Abstract

Objectives: To develop a visual analogue measure of self-esteem and test its psychometric properties.

Design: Two correlational studies involving samples of university students and aphasic speakers.

Method: Two hundred and forty-three university students completed multiple measures of self-esteem, depression and anxiety as well as measures of transitory mood and social desirability (Study 1). Two samples of aphasic speakers (N = 14 and N = 20) completed the Visual Analogue Self-Esteem Scale (VASES), the Rosenberg (1965) self-esteem scale and measures of depression and anxiety. (Study 2).

Results: Study 1 found evidence of good internal and test-retest reliability, construct validity and convergent and discriminant validity for a 10-item VASES. Study 2 demonstrated good internal reliability among aphasic speakers.

Conclusion: The VASES is a short and easy to administer measure of self-esteem that possesses good psychometric properties.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales*
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Self Concept*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Visual Perception