The Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory: A Construct Validation Study

The Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI) was examined using a modified version of the Sabers and Whitney model for construct validation. The SEI, Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (CSCS), and Children's Social Desirability Scale (CSDS) were administered to 55 males and 50 females enrolled in six intact fifth-grade classes. Each student also received a teacher rating of self-concept using the Coopersmith Behavioral Academic Assessment Scale (BASE). Regression analyses indicated that the SEI has convergent validity with regard to the CSCS (p < .01) and BASE (p < .01), has discriminant validity with regard to the CSDS (p > .05), is sensitive to differences in achievement level (p < .01), and is internally consistent (coefficient alpha = .86). Intra-rater stability for the BASE ranged from .85 to .97; average inter-rater agreement was .86.