Affiliations: Department of Rehabilitation, University of
Sherbrooke, Canada | Social Psychology Laboratory, University of Paris X,
France | Department of Psychology, University of Montreal,
Canada
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Marc Corbière, Centre
d'Actions en Prévention et Réadaptation de l'Incapacité au
Travail, 1111, Saint-Charles Ouest, Suite #101, Longueuil, Québec,
J4K 5GA, Canada. Tel.: +1 450 463 1835, ext.61601; Fax: +1 450 674 5237;
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Self-esteem plays an important role in the recovery, particularly
the work integration, of people with severe mental disorders. The Rosenberg
Self-Esteem Scale, a widely used instrument that taps into global self-esteem,
has been adapted to specifically assess self-esteem as a worker. The present
study aimed at validating the Rosenberg Self-Esteem as a Worker Scale and
determining its sensitivity to change in people with severe mental disorders
registered in Supported Employment programs. An exploratory factor analysis
showed two emerging factors later supported by a confirmatory factor analyses.
The first subscale was named "Individual Self-Esteem as a Worker", and the
second subscale, was entitled "Social Self-Esteem as a Worker". A subsequent
MANCOVA further showed that the past work experience has a significant main
effect on the Individual Self-Esteem as a Worker subscale. Furthermore, results
revealed that only the Individual Self-Esteem as a Worker subscale changes
significantly when people obtain employment. Finally, work satisfaction and
particularly items related to satisfaction regarding the supervisor were
significantly related to the Individual Self-Esteem as a Worker subscale.
Avenues of research are discussed concerning the crucial role of the supervisor
in improving the self-esteem as a worker and the work integration of people
with severe mental disorders.
Keywords: Self-esteem, work satisfaction, severe mental disorders, validation of questionnaire
