Harter's self-perception profile for children: Factor structure, reliability, and convergent validity in a Dutch-speaking Belgian sample of fourth, fifth and sixth graders

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric qualities of the sco res of a Dutch version of Harter's Self-Perception Profile for Children (SP PC) and to examine gender and grade differences. Participants were 760 Dutc h-speaking Belgian fourth, fifth and sixth graders. Harter's Teacher Rating Scale of Child's Actual Behaviour (TRS) was used to test one aspect of the convergent validity of the SPPC scores. Factor analyses supported the five -factor solution of the SPPC and the TRS. The internal consistency values o f the SPCC and TRS subscale scores indicate that each dimension could be re liably measured. Significant cross-informant correlations (convergent valid ity) were found for almost all subscale scores in all gender and grade grou ps. ANOVAs conducted on subscale means revealed significant main effects fo r gender and grade. Boys had higher scores on all subscales except Behaviou ral Conduct. Younger children scored higher on Physical Appearance and Beha vioural Conduct. Physical Appearance was the best predictor of Global Self- worth for boys and girls and for each grade group.