Psychometric Properties of the French Version of the Short Form of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory Among Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

We examined the psychometric qualities of the Short Form of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (SF-CSEI) in a large sample of French adolescents and young adults. A 25-item French version was administered to 1,362 participants (561 aged below 16 years and 801 aged 16–25 years). Participants also completed other scales to measure construct validity (e.g., Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and General Health Questionnaire). Factorial analysis yielded evidence for a structure with three first-order factors for the SF-CSEI: personal, social, and family-derived self-esteem. The internal consistency of the questionnaire’s different dimensions was satisfactory (Cronbach’s α = .68–.77). Pearson’s correlation coefficients showed that the SF-CSEI had moderate to high correlations with convergent measures ( r = .19–.73) and constructs related to self-esteem ( r = −.23–.65). Psychiatric patients ( n = 67) scored significantly lower than a control group. Test–retest reliability was good for some of the factors, especially at 5 weeks and 1 year ( r = .29–.79). The French version of the SF-CSEI appears to be a useful instrument, with a cross-culturally stable factorial structure.