PLEASE NOTE: The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale is now in the public domain, meaning you may use it without charge and without notifying the Sociology Department. This permission extends to making translations or adaptations as you see fit, consistent with traditional scholarly attribution practices. The department does not maintain any information on the scale beyond what is linked below, and cannot advise on its use.

How do I cite the scale?

You should cite the scale according to the standards of your discipline. The most appropriate citation is: "Rosenberg, Morris. 1989. Society and the Adolescent Self-Image.  Revised edition. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press."

Are there foreign language versions of the scale available?

The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale is perhaps the most widely-used self-esteem measure in social science research. The scale has been translated into many languages; unfortunately, the University of Maryland is not a repository for such scales. Please refer to the scholarly literature in the language which you are using.

Can you tell me what the scale cut-offs are for high and low self-esteem?

There are no discrete cut-off points to delineate high and low self-esteem. It is recommended that you consult the literature relevant to the population you are interested in studying. By examining this literature you should be able learn more about the norms of a specific population.

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Last modified
09/15/2025 - 10:17 am