The Construct Validity of an Exploratory Academic Self-Concept Subscale Derived from the Piers-Harris Children's Self Concept Scale

Abstract

Evidence is sought concerning the construct validity of a 17-item exploratory academic self-concept subscale derived from the Piers-Harris Children's Self Concept Scale in terms of its empirical factor structure and its correlation with a multifactor academic self-concept measure and with a unidimensional general academic self-concept instrument. In this 17-item subscale three identifiable factor dimensions were defined as Anxiety, Confidence in Academic Ability, and Perceived Ineptness-Alienation. Five of the six correlations of the exploratory subscale with other measures of academic self-concept were statistically significant beyond the .01 level. An internal-consistency estimate of reliability (coefficient alpha) of .55 was obtained for the experimental subscale. It was concluded that despite the demonstration of a modest level of construct validity this exploratory subscale should be used only for research purposes pending the rewriting and/or elimination of several items with unusually low communalities.