In two studies, we investigate the factorial structure of the Italian translation of the Self-Liking/Self-Competence Scale - Revised (i.e., SLCS-R; Tafarodi & Swann, 2001), which was developed in order to measure two distinct dimensions of self-esteem: Self-competence and Self-liking. More specifically, in Study 1 we provide evidence that the two sub-scales actually address different aspects of self-esteem. In Study 2, with Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) we show that a model including the dimensions of self-esteem (competence and liking) as different traits, and positive versus negative wording of items as different methods, provide a superior fit to the data as compared to both a unidimensional model of self-esteem and to a bidimensional model not including the wording factor