Increases in Positive Self-Views Among High School Students

Abstract

Previous research has produced contradictory findings on generational change in positive self-views. We examined 13 items measuring self-views in the Monitoring the Future study, a large national study of high school students conducted between 1975 and 2006 (in this analysis, ns between 4,698 and 29,673). Relative to high school students in the 1970s, those in 2006 were more likely to predict that they would be “very good” spouses, parents, and workers; were more satisfied with themselves; and scored higher on self-esteem items measuring self-liking. The 2006 students also reported earning higher grades and being more intelligent. However, 2006 students scored lower on two self-esteem items measuring self-competence than did students in 1975. These results suggest that there has been a small increase in positive self-views across the generations, but that it has not been accompanied by an increase in general self-competence.