A procedure for coding self-regard from narrative self-descriptions

Psychol Rep. 2006 Dec;99(3):879-93. doi: 10.2466/PR0.99.3.879-893.

Abstract

Researchers typically obtain numerical measures of self-regard from the self-reports of cooperative participants by administering assessment scales. Selected narrative self-descriptions would become numerical data sources were suitable content analyses devised. This paper documents two descriptive studies (N=46, N=62) that illustrate a basis for suitable designs. That basis is a simple coding procedure in which raters use a 9-point scale to code measures of specific variables from autobiographical narratives. In each study, 5 raters apply content analyses based on the procedure to code their subjective assessments of self-liking, self-competence, and self-regard described in 108 brief narratives (60-150 words). Analysis shows substantial interrater agreement and content validity for the measures of self-regard. This suggests researchers could apply the coding procedure to other data.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Observer Variation
  • Personality Assessment / statistics & numerical data*
  • Psychometrics / statistics & numerical data
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Self Concept*
  • Self Disclosure*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires