Psychology RootsTable of Contents
State Self-Esteem Scale
Here in this post, we are sharing the “State Self-Esteem Scale”. You can read psychometric and Author information. We have thousands of Scales and questionnaires in our collection (See Scales and Questionnaires). You can demand us any scale and questionnaires related to psychology through our community, and we will provide you with a short time. Keep visiting Psychology Roots.
About State Self-Esteem Scale
Scale Name
State Self-Esteem Scale
Author Details
Todd F. Heatherton and Janet Polivy
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The State Self-Esteem Scale (SSES) is a 20-item self-report instrument developed by Heatherton and Polivy in 1991 to assess temporary fluctuations in an individual’s self-esteem. Unlike trait self-esteem, which reflects a person’s general self-worth over time, state self-esteem pertains to momentary self-evaluations that can vary with situational contexts. The SSES evaluates three distinct dimensions:
- Performance Self-Esteem: Assesses feelings of competence and confidence in one’s abilities.
- Social Self-Esteem: Measures perceptions of how one is viewed by others and concerns about social acceptance.
- Appearance Self-Esteem: Evaluates satisfaction with one’s physical appearance.
Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (“Not at all”) to 5 (“Extremely”), with higher scores indicating greater state self-esteem. The SSES has been widely used in psychological research to examine how self-esteem fluctuates in response to various stimuli, interventions, or situational factors.
Background: The concept of state self-esteem was first introduced by Heatherton and Polivy in 1991. They argued that self-esteem is not a fixed trait, but rather a dynamic state that can fluctuate over time. They developed the SSES to measure these temporary fluctuations in self-esteem.
The SSES is based on the Janis-Field Feelings of Inadequacy Scale, which was developed in 1959. The Janis-Field scale was designed to measure overall feelings of inadequacy, while the SSES is specifically designed to measure state self-esteem.
Introduction: The SSES is a 20-item self-report scale. Respondents are asked to rate how they feel about themselves at the moment on a 5-point scale, ranging from 1 (not at all) to 5 (extremely). The scale consists of three subscales:
- Performance state self-esteem: This subscale measures how respondents feel about their abilities and accomplishments.
- Social state self-esteem: This subscale measures how respondents feel about their social relationships and interactions.
- Appearance state self-esteem: This subscale measures how respondents feel about their physical appearance.
The SSES has been shown to have good psychometric properties. The scale has high internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity.
The SSES is a useful tool for researchers and clinicians who want to measure state self-esteem. The scale is easy to administer and score, and it has been shown to be reliable and valid.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a Copy: Access the SSES through the original publication by Heatherton and Polivy (1991) or reputable psychological assessment resources.
- Explain the Purpose: Inform participants that the SSES measures their current feelings of self-worth, focusing on how they feel about themselves at this moment.
- Provide Instructions: Instruct participants to respond to each statement based on their immediate feelings, using the 5-point scale provided.
- Approximate Time: The SSES typically takes about 5–10 minutes to complete.
- Administer the Scale: Ensure participants complete the questionnaire in a quiet, comfortable environment, free from distractions, to facilitate honest and reflective responses.
Reliability and Validity
The SSES has demonstrated high internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients reported above 0.90, indicating reliable measurement across its items. Factor analyses have supported its three-dimensional structure, corresponding to performance, social, and appearance self-esteem. The scale’s validity is evidenced by its sensitivity to experimental manipulations designed to temporarily alter self-esteem, as well as its correlations with related constructs such as mood and trait self-esteem.
Available Versions
20-Items
Reference
Heatherton, T. F., & Polivy, J. (1991). Development and validation of a scale for measuring state self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social psychology, 60(6), 895.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the State Self-Esteem Scale (SSES)?
The SSES is designed to assess temporary changes in an individual’s self-esteem, capturing momentary self-evaluations across performance, social, and appearance domains.
Who developed the SSES?
The scale was developed by psychologists Todd F. Heatherton and Janet Polivy in 1991.
How is the SSES structured?
The SSES consists of 20 items divided into three subscales: Performance Self-Esteem (7 items), Social Self-Esteem (7 items), and Appearance Self-Esteem (6 items).
How is the SSES scored?
Participants rate each item on a 5-point Likert scale. Scores for negatively worded items are reversed, and subscale scores are summed to provide an overall state self-esteem score.
In what contexts is the SSES used?
The SSES is utilized in research settings to examine how self-esteem fluctuates in response to experimental manipulations, interventions, or situational factors.
Disclaimer
Please note that Psychology Roots does not have the right to grant permission for the use of any psychological scales or assessments listed on its website. To use any scale or assessment, you must obtain permission directly from the author or translator of the tool. Psychology Roots provides information about various tools and their administration procedures, but it is your responsibility to obtain proper permissions before using any scale or assessment. If you need further information about an author’s contact details, please submit a query to the Psychology Roots team.
Help Us Improve This Article
Have you discovered an inaccuracy? We put out great effort to give accurate and scientifically trustworthy information to our readers. Please notify us if you discover any typographical or grammatical errors.
Make a comment. We acknowledge and appreciate your efforts.
Share With Us
If you have any scale or any material related to psychology kindly share it with us at info@psychologyroots.com. We help others on behalf of you.
