Feelings of inferiority: A first attempt to define the construct empirically

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Kelly L. Wester, Associate Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Inferiority feelings have been linked theoretically to substance use; however, an empirical definition of the construct is lacking in research. The purpose of this study was to examine the adequacy in defining inferiority feelings using the empirically established constructs of self-esteem, general self-efficacy (GSE), abstinence self-efficacy (ASE), and shame using a sample of 210 undergraduate college students. Results of the confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the overall model provided good fit for the data; however, self-esteem and shame loaded more strongly on the latent construct than did GSE and ASE. The results provide preliminary evidence for using these constructs to define inferiority feelings; however, future research is necessary to examine alternate constructs that may define inferiority feelings in other populations.

Additional Information

Publication
Journal of Individual Psychology, 74(2),172-187
Language: English
Date: 2018
Keywords
inferiority, self-efficacy, self-esteem, shame, substance use

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