EARLY ADOLESCENT SELF-ESTEEM - A DEVELOPMENTAL-ECOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK AND ASSESSMENT STRATEGY

We investigated a multidimensional, developmental-ecological framework for assessing early adolescent self-esteem using a new measure, the S elf-Esteem Questionnaire (SEQ). In addition to global feelings of self -worth, the SEQ assesses evaluations of the self relating to each prim ary context of early adolescent development (peers, school, and family ) and 2 additional salient domains of experience for this age group (s ports/athletics and body image). Results provide support for the propo sed developmental-ecological framework as well as the reliability and validity of the SEQ. Major findings include factorial validity for the targeted dimensions of self-esteem and convergent and discriminant va lidity across self-report, interview, and parent-report forms of the i nstrument. Ratings for specific dimensions of self-esteem also exhibit ed differentially strong associations with measures of contextual expe riences in corresponding areas. Implications for the relation between self-esteem and the ecology of early adolescent development are discus sed.