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Low Self-Esteem – Weinberger Adjustment Inventory
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About Low Self-Esteem – Weinberger Adjustment Inventory
Scale Name
Low Self-Esteem – Weinberger Adjustment Inventory
Author Details
Daniel A. Weinberger and Gary E. Schwartz
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Low Self-Esteem scale, part of the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory (WAI), developed by Daniel A. Weinberger and Gary E. Schwartz in 1990, is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure an individual’s perception of their value, specifically feelings of low self-worth. Published in Journal of Personality Assessment, the WAI assesses adjustment across emotional and behavioral domains, with the Low Self-Esteem subscale, drawn from Weinberger’s Distress Scale, focusing on negative self-perceptions and lack of confidence. The scale aligns with self-concept theories (Rosenberg, 1965) and is used to study emotional adjustment in adolescents, particularly in high-risk settings. It was validated in sixth-grade students (ages 11-12) in urban environments, as noted by Feldman and Weinberger (1994), to explore links between low self-esteem and outcomes like delinquency or depression.
The Low Self-Esteem subscale comprises 7 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = “false” to 5 = “true”), assessing feelings of inadequacy and negative self-evaluation (e.g., “I often feel worthless” or “I don’t like myself”). Higher scores (range: 7-35) indicate lower self-esteem. Validated in urban middle school samples, the scale is used to identify emotional vulnerabilities and evaluate interventions aimed at improving self-esteem and mental health.
Psychologists, educators, and clinicians use the Low Self-Esteem scale to assess self-worth, inform interventions for at-risk youth, and study its role in emotional and behavioral outcomes. Its urban focus and theoretical grounding are strengths, but its variable internal consistency, English-only primary use, and specific age focus may limit reliability and broader application.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the WAI Low Self-Esteem subscale from primary sources, such as Weinberger and Schwartz (1990) in Journal of Personality Assessment or Feldman and Weinberger (1994) in Child Development, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses how they feel about themselves to support emotional growth, emphasizing confidentiality and using age-appropriate, trauma-sensitive language.
- Provide instructions, asking students to rate each of the 7 items based on how true the statements are for them, using the 5-point scale.
- Approximate time for completion is 2-3 minutes, given its brevity.
- Administer in a classroom, clinical, or research setting, using paper or digital formats, ensuring a private environment to promote honest responses. Oral administration may be used for students with reading difficulties.
Reliability and Validity
The Low Self-Esteem scale has variable psychometric properties, as reported by Feldman and Weinberger (1994). Internal consistency ranges from low to moderate, with Cronbach’s alpha between 0.55 and 0.72, indicating inconsistent item cohesion, possibly due to the small number of items or variability in urban adolescents’ self-perceptions. Test-retest reliability is not reported for this subscale, but stability is inferred to be moderate based on the WAI Distress Scale (r ≈ 0.60-0.80 over months).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with related constructs, such as depression (r ≈ 0.40-0.60), anxiety, and lower self-worth on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (r ≈ -0.50), consistent with emotional distress research (Weinberger, 1996). Discriminant validity is evidenced by weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, such as academic aptitude (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to predict internalizing behaviors (e.g., depression, social withdrawal) in urban sixth graders, as shown in Feldman and Weinberger (1994). Factor analyses confirm its alignment with the WAI Distress dimension, supporting construct validity. The variable reliability suggests cautious use, ideally paired with other self-esteem measures like the Rosenberg scale.
Available Versions
07-Items
Reference
Weinberger, D. A., & Schwartz, G. E. (1990). Distress and restraint as superordinate dimensions of self‐reported adjustment: A typological perspective. Journal of personality, 58(2), 381-417.
Feldman, S. S., & Weinberger, D. A. (1994). Self‐restraint as a mediator of family influences on boys’ delinquent behavior: A longitudinal study. Child Development, 65(1), 195-211.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Low Self-Esteem scale measure?
It measures negative perceptions of self-worth and value.
Who can use the scale?
Psychologists, educators, and clinicians studying urban sixth graders.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 2-3 minutes.
Is the scale specific to sixth graders?
Yes, it was validated in urban sixth-grade students.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, but variable reliability (α = 0.55-0.72) requires cautious use with other measures.
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