The two studies reported in this article examined the psychometric properties of the Self-Handicapping Scale (SHS), an individual difference measure of the tendency to engage in behaviors that strategically protect self-esteem. 'In the first study, initial analyses indicated that the SHS possessed one major factor and several trivial factors. As a result, an abbreviated form of the scale was created; this short form possesses internal consistency higher than that found in the original scale. Correlational analyses with both versions indicated that high self-handicapping was related reliably to high public self-consciousness, high social anxiety, high other-directedness, high depression, and low self-esteem. These relations were stronger when the short form was used, suggesting its psychometric as well as practical utility. In a second study, the validity of the short form was examined by administering it to a sample of students along with a questionnaire that requested information concerning extenuating circumstances that would limit the students' demonstration of ability on a course exam. The "excuses" questionnaire was administered after the first exam and immediately prior to the second exam. High self-handicappers claimed more excuses both after the first exam and prior to the second exam. Taken together, these findings suggest the utility of the abbreviated SHS for future research.
Tijdschrift beschrijving