Validation of a self-esteem inventory among bachelor-level students of a medical college in Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Background

The necessity of self-esteem is often discussed and taught but

measurements of self-esteem are lacking in Nepal and a locally validated

tool is a needed to measure self-esteem among Nepalese people. The aim of

this study was to assess the reliability, validity and factorial structure of the

Self Esteem Inventory (SEI).

Methods

A total of 560 undergraduate students participated in the study. Explorative

factor analysis was conducted to examine the underlying structure of the

SEI. Concurrent validity evidence was gathered by correlating the Self

Esteem Inventory with the established Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES).

Results

The factor analysis suggested a four-factor solution labelled as Childhood

and Family Background, Likeability, Wealth and Financial Background, and

Purpose Needs. The SEI showed an overall internal consistency (? = 0.75)

with a coefficient alpha of range 0.52–0.71 for the subscales and found a low

correlation of the SEI with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (r=0.368).

Conclusion

This study provides psychometric properties of 15 items retained from 56 on

the original self-esteem scale, developed for the context of Nepal. The SEI is

a valid and reliable measure that can be used to study self-esteem.