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Construction and initial validation of the self-worth protection scale
1School of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia. T.Thompson@utas.edu.au
The British Journal of Educational Psychology
|March 18, 2003
Summary
The Self-Worth Protection Scale (SWPS) was validated to identify students who protect their self-worth by withdrawing effort. This scale helps understand achievement motivation and self-protection strategies in academic settings.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Motivation Theory
Background:
- Self-worth theory suggests students may withdraw effort to protect self-worth.
- Failure despite effort can lead to conclusions of low ability.
- Withdrawing effort serves as a defense mechanism against perceived low ability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the psychometric properties of the Self-Worth Protection Scale (SWPS).
- To validate a scale measuring self-worth protection strategies in achievement contexts.
Main Methods:
- Administered the SWPS and related scales (fear of negative evaluation, self-esteem, self-handicapping) to undergraduate psychology students.
- Utilized exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to evaluate scale structure.
- Assessed reliability and construct validity through correlations with related measures.
Main Results:
- Exploratory factor analysis suggested a three-factor structure.
- Confirmatory factor analysis, after model modification, supported a 26-item, three-factor solution with a higher-order self-worth protection factor.
- Reliability was acceptable, and the SWPS total score demonstrated construct validity through positive correlations with related constructs.
Conclusions:
- The Self-Worth Protection Scale (SWPS) is a psychometrically sound instrument.
- SWPS can effectively identify individuals employing self-worth protection in achievement situations.