Psychometric properties of the Beck Self-Esteem Scales

The psychometric characteristics of the Beck Self-Esteem Scales (BSE) are described for 360 psychiatric outpatients. Patients rated their evaluative beliefs about themselves (Self Scale) and their beliefs about how others evaluate them (Other Scale). Both measures consist of 18 pairs of adjectives, e.g., lovable-unlovable, that are rated using a 10-point scale. The coefficient alphas for the Self Scale (0.94) and the Other Scale (0.95) indicated high internal consistency. Both scales were positively associated with other measures of self-esteem and negatively associated with measures of anxiety and depression. As predicted by the cognitive theory of depression, patients with a principal mood disorder scored significantly lower on the BSE than patients with a principal anxiety disorder. In addition, the mean scores for patients with major depression and dysthymia on the Self Scale were significantly lower than the mean scores for the Other Scale.