Contingencies of Self-Worth Scale (CSWS): Appearance Subscale

doi:10.1017/9781009398275.061

Chapter 60 - Contingencies of Self-Worth Scale (CSWS): Appearance Subscale

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 November 2025

Jennifer Crocker

Edited by

Virginia Ramseyer Winter ,

Tracy L. Tylka and

Antoinette M. Landor

Show author details

Virginia Ramseyer Winter: Affiliation:
University of Minnesota
Tracy L. Tylka: Affiliation:
Ohio State University
Antoinette M. Landor: Affiliation:
University of Missouri

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Summary

The 5-item Appearance subscale of the Contingencies of Self-Worth Scale (CSWS; Crocker et al., 2003) assesses the extent to which individuals base their self-worth on their appearance. The CSWS can be administered online or in-person to adolescents and adults and is free to use in any setting. This chapter first discusses the development of the CSWS and its seven domains and then provides evidence of its psychometrics, underscoring the Appearance subscale given its connection to body image, the focus of this handbook. More specifically, the Appearance subscale has been found to be a distinct factor within the 7-factor CSWS, which was found to be invariant across gender. Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, incremental validity, and predictive validity support the use of the Appearance subscale. Next, this chapter provides the Appearance subscale items in their entirety, instructions for administering the Appearance subscale to participants, the item response scale, and the scoring procedure. Links to known CSWS translations are included. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and contact information, are available for readers.

Keywords

Contingencies of Self-Worth Scale: Appearance Subscale CSWS-Appearance items appearance self-esteem self-worth external contingencies scale development psychometric evidence factor structure reliability validity administration scoring translations

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Type: Chapter
Information: Handbook of Body Image-Related Measures , pp. 186 - 188

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009398275.061 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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References

Crocker, J., Luhtanen, R. K., Cooper, M. L., & Bouvrette, A. (2003). Contingencies of self-worth in college students: Theory and measurement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85(5), 894–908. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.85.5.894.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Crocker, J., & Wolfe, C. T. (2001). Contingencies of self-worth. Psychological Review, 108(3), 593–623. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295x.108.3.593.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Crocker, J., & Luhtanen, R. K. (2003). Level of self-esteem and contingencies of self-worth: Unique effects on academic, social, and financial problems in college freshmen. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 29(6), 701–712. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167203029006003.CrossRef Google Scholar

Luhtanen, R. K., & Crocker, J. (2005). Alcohol use in college students: Effects of level of self-esteem, narcissism, and contingencies of self-worth. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 19(1), 99–103. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-164X.19.1.99.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Overstreet, N. M., & Quinn, D. M. (2012). Contingencies of self-worth and appearance concerns: Do domains of self-worth matter? Psychology of Women Quarterly, 35(3), 314–325. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361684311435221.CrossRef Google Scholar

Swami, V., & Barron, D. (2019). Translation and validation of body image instruments: Challenges, good practice guidelines, and reporting recommendations for test adaptation. Body Image, 31, 204–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.08.014.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

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