Da. Cole et al., The development of multiple domains of child and adolescent self-concept: A cohort sequential longitudinal design, CHILD DEV, 72(6), 2001, pp. 1723-1746
The development of child and adolescent self-concept was examined as a func
tion of the self-concept domain, social/developmental/educational transitio
ns, and gender. In two overlapping age cohorts of public school students (N
s = 936 and 984), five dimensions of self-concept were evaluated every 6 mo
nths in a manner that spanned grades 3 through 11 (representing the element
ary middle, and high school years). Domains of self-concept included academ
ic competence, physical appearance, behavioral conduct, social acceptance,
and sports competence. Structural equation modeling addressed questions abo
ut the stability of individual differences over time. Multilevel modeling a
ddressed questions about mean-level changes in self-concept over time. Sign
ificant effects emerged with regard to gender, age, dimension of self-conce
pt, and educational transition.