The Measurement of Independent and Interdependent Self-Construals

TLDR

The study conceptualizes interdependent self as emphasizing connectedness typical of non‑Western cultures and independent self as emphasizing separateness typical of Western cultures, arguing that both can coexist within individuals and be measured. The study develops a scale to measure the strength of interdependent and independent self‑construals. The authors created a 24‑item Self‑Construal Scale that assesses interdependent and independent self‑construals. Confirmatory factor analyses of two multiethnic college samples confirmed the two‑factor structure, and the scale demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity, with implications for future research.

Abstract

Following concepts introduced by Markus and Kitayama, this study describes the theoretical and empirical development of a scale to measure the strength of an individual's interdependent and independent self-construals. These two images of self are conceptualized as reflecting the emphasis on connectedness and relations often found in non-Western cultures (interdependent) and the separateness and uniqueness of the individual (independent) stressed in the West. It is argued that these two images of self can and do coexist in individuals and that they can be measured. A 24-item Self-Construal Scale measuring two dimensions of self-image is presented. The two distinct dimensions of the scale were supported in confirmatory factor analyses of two multiethnic samples of college students. The scale was found to have satisfactory reliability and validity. Its implications and potential applications are discussed.