Self-Concept of Eritrean Students Exploring Self-Concept of Students: Links With Gender, Grade, And Future Identity

Abstract

The study explored self-concept of students in two stages- a) gender and grade differences, and b) its relation with future identity. Self-concept is one’s overall idea of a sense of self, with multi dimensions of self in reference to others. Future identity refers to youth’s awareness of life’s work in future. In the first stage, 381 students (191 females and 190 males, from seventh grade through under-graduate level) attempted an inventory measuring multi dimensions of self-concept. They showed a high level of self-concept, with no significant gender differences. The difference in two extreme grades was significant. In the second stage, 30 undergraduate students attempted two inventories measuring self-concept and future identity. The correlation between these two components was weak. Further investigation is necessary and implications for need based intervention programs are apparent. (IFE Psychologia (2002) 10(2), 1-19