A study to assess the validity and reliability of a measure of self-esteem, stigma and aspirations/expectations for people with learning disabilities

Hitchen, Janet M. (1996). A study to assess the validity and reliability of a measure of self-esteem, stigma and aspirations/expectations for people with learning disabilities. PhD thesis The Open University.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21954/ou.ro.0000d511

Abstract

The area of self-esteem in people with learning disabilities has been largely neglected, and previous researchers have employed a variety of approaches. It is important to further our understanding in the context of providing appropriate clinical interventions and in monitoring the effect of social policy developments on the individuals at the receiving end of service provision.

The study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of a set of measures devised specifically for use with learning disabled people, by Szivos-Bach (1993).The measures assess social comparisons, perception of stigma and aspirations and expectations. The study was carried out with 30 adults with mild and moderate learning disabilities between the ages of 18 and 65.

The results provide initial support for the social comparisons test as ameasure of self-esteem. Less evidence was found for the stigma questionnaire andthe aspirations-expectations test. The results are discussed in the light of comparable research into self-esteem measures with non-learning disabled populations. Further research is required, and the most profitable way forward seems to be development of multi-dimensional measures of self-esteem.