SELF-IMAGE AND IDEAL SELF-IMAGE IN EAST-G ERMAN AND WEST-GERMAN STUDENTS

We report about a comparative study on epidemiological and psychologic al variables in two samples of students in the german universities of Gottingen (Westgermany) and Halle (Eastgermany) from April 1991 (n = 4 38). We expected specific differences in the answers due to the differ ing socialization and actual life stress. In this paper we present res ults on self images and ideal self images, measured with the Giessen-T est. East- and westgerman students in general have similar self images in the GT-scales. There are significant differences between the study fields, suggesting a higher correlation between personality variables and subject of studies than between personality and country. In some gender specific items women in Halle show a tendency towards a more tr aditional gender role concept (less competition, importance of attract iveness). Men in Eastgermany compared to the western students emphasiz ed freedom from anxiety and walling off. The ideal self image in the w est is characterized by wishes for more sociability and less competiti on. In the east there is a tendency towards wishes for autonomy and co ntrol. The significant differences in gender specific items and in the ideal self image are discussed under aspects of socialization and act ual stressors.