The Development and Validation of Self-Concept Scale For Pakistani University Students

Abstract

Cultural aspects are dominant in almost all areas of research and require special attention while conducting a study. The same goes for under-focused self-concept which varies from individualistic to collectivistic cultures. In the present research, an indigenous scale was developed to explore the self-concept of university students in Pakistani culture. In the first phase, 60 university students were interviewed separately and generated the item pool of 46 statements. Then repeated and ambiguous items were excluded, and a list of 40 items was used for piloting on 30 university students as a self-report measure of a 5-point rating scale (Self-Concept Scale). Finally, a convenient sample of 300 university students (154 boys and 146 girls) was given the final list of 40 items, Self-Concept Scale for Adolescents, and a demographic sheet. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to investigate the collected data. The Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) produced a two-factor solution: positive and negative self-concept. Lastly, 38 items were finalized for the self-concept scale, the first factor was based on 22 items and the second factor consisted of 16 items. The SCS was found to have high internal consistency, concurrent validity, and split-half reliability. This scale can be used in further research, assessment, and counseling services for the students.