[Rosenberg self-esteem scale: validation in a representative sample of Chilean adults].

BACKGROUND Self-esteem is positively associated to the well being of people and could be a good mental health indicator. AIM To determine the reliability and validity of the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale in a Chilean adult sample. MATERIAL AND METHODS The instrument was applied to 473 subjects living in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, evenly distributed according to gender, age, educational level and income. The Neugarten Life Satisfaction index (LSI-A) was also applied to the sample. RESULTS Cronbach's alpha for reliability of the scale was 0.754. There was no gender bias and factor analysis grouped items into two factors (5 positive and 5 negative). The instrument had a correlation of 0.455 with the LSI-A. CONCLUSIONS The Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale meets the criteria for validity and reliability of a quality instrument to measure self-esteem in Chile.