An Analysis of the Self-Handicapping Scale

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.