Confusion exists with regard to the substantive difference between self-concept and self-esteem. In an endeavour to cast some light on this confusion two studies were conducted with 1193 preadolescents using modified versions of two commonly used instruments designed to measure self-concept and self-esteem. Exploratory factor analysis indicated that both these instruments measure specific facets of the same construct, namely self-concept. General or global self-concept proved to be a difficult construct to measure in preadolescent students.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ArgyleM., & LeeV. (1972). Social relationships. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.
ComreyA.L. (1988). Factor analytic methods of scale development in personality and clinical psychology. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 56, 754–761.
4.
CoopersmithS. (1967). The antecedents of self-esteem. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.
HattieJ. (1992). Self-concept. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
7.
HughesH. (1984). Measures of self-concept and self-esteem for children ages 3-12 years. Clinical Psychology Review, 4, 657–692.
8.
KokenesB. (1974). Grade level differences in factors of self-esteem. Developmental Psychology, 10, 954–958.
9.
MarshH.W. (1990). Self-Description Questionnaire Manual 1. Sydney: University of Western Sydney Press.
10.
MarshH.W. (1986). Negative item bias in rating scales for preadolescent children: A cognitive-developmental phenomena. Developmental Psychology, 22, 37–49.
11.
MarshH.W., BarnesJ., CairnsL., & TidmanM. (1984). The Self-Description Questionnaire (SDQ): Age effects in the structure and level of self-concept for preadolescent children. Journal of Educational Psychology, 75, 940–956.
12.
MarshH.W., RelichJ.D., & SmithL.D. (1983). Self-concept: Its multifaceted, hierarchical structure. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 45, 173–187.
13.
MarshH.W., SmithI.D., & BarnesJ. (1983). Multitrait-multimethod analyses of the Self-Description Questionnaire: Student-teacher agreement on multidimensional ratings of self-concept. American Educational Research Journal, 20, 333–357.
14.
MarshH.W., SmithI.D., & BarnesJ. (1984). Multi-dimensional self-concepts: Relationships with inferred self-concepts and academic achievement. Australian Journal of Psychology, 36, 367–386.
15.
MarshH.W., SmithI.D., & BarnesJ. (1985). Multi-dimensional self-concepts: Relations with sex and academic achievement. Journal of Educational Psychology, 77, 581–596.
16.
ShavelsonR.J., & BolusR. (1982). Self-concept: The interplay of theory and methods. Journal of Educational Psychology, 74, 3–17.
17.
ShavelsonR.J., HubnerJ.J., & StantonG.C. (1976). Self-concept: Validation of construct interpretations. Review of Education Research, 46, 407–441.
18.
StevensJ. (1986). Applied multivariate statistics for the social sciences. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
