Global self-esteem across the life span: a cross-sectional comparison between representative and self-selected...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Demography

Background:

• Understanding the trajectory of global self-esteem across the lifespan is crucial for developmental psychology.
• Previous research has suggested a universal age-related pattern in self-esteem.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the cross-sectional trajectory of global self-esteem across the lifespan in a large Estonian sample.
• To compare data collection methods (random sampling vs. internet self-recruitment) for self-esteem research.
• To investigate whether different self-esteem measures show similar age-related patterns.

Main Methods:

• Administered Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Single-Item Self-Esteem Scale to 29,463 Estonians.
• Utilized both random sampling from the National Census and internet self-recruitment for participant acquisition.
• Performed variance component analysis to assess age differences relative to interindividual differences and measurement error.

Main Results:

• The observed age trajectory of self-esteem challenges the conclusion of a universal pattern.
• Internet self-recruitment yielded biased data compared to random sampling methods.
• Different self-esteem items exhibited dissimilar trajectories across age groups.
• Age-related differences in self-esteem were found to be small relative to individual differences and measurement error.

Conclusions:

• The assumption of a universal self-esteem trajectory across the lifespan is not supported.
• Methodological choices, such as recruitment strategy, significantly impact self-esteem research findings.
• Self-esteem measurement instruments may capture distinct developmental patterns.