The structure of multidimensional self-esteem across age and gender

• The structure and levels of multidimensional self-esteem were examined.
• The samples included adolescents and adults.
• The factor structure of self-esteem was invariant across age and gender groups.
• However, the hierarchy was much weaker than originally proposed.
• Findings revealed no support for a superordinate, global self-esteem index.

Previous research has suggested that self-esteem is a multidimensional and hierarchically organized construct. Studies, however, have primarily used data from child or adolescent populations. In the current project, we examined the factor structure of multidimensional self-esteem in 661 adolescents (350 female) and compared it with the structure in 348 adults (191 female). In addition, we investigated gender-differences in multidimensional self-esteem. Results support the multidimensionality of self-esteem; the hierarchical organization, however, was much weaker than originally proposed. A superordinate factor of global self-esteem was not supported. With respect to age, findings established invariance across age groups. Female participants showed lower social, academic, and physical self-esteem as well as lower self-regard than male participants.