Adolescent Self-image Research Articles

Television, Disordered Eating, and Young Women in Fiji: Negotiating Body Image and Identity during Rapid Social Change

Although the relationship between media exposure and risk behavior among youth is established at a population level, the specific psychological and social mechanisms mediating the adverse effects of media on youth remain poorly understood. This study reports on an investigation of the impact of the introduction of television to a rural community in Western Fiji on adolescent ethnic Fijian girls in a setting of rapid social and economic change. Narrative data were collected from 30 purposively selected ethnic Fijian secondary school girls via semi-structured, open-ended interviews. Interviews were conducted in 1998, 3 years after television was first broadcast to this region of Fiji. Narrative data were analyzed for content relating to response to television and mechanisms that mediate self and body image in Fijian adolescents. Data in this sample suggest that media imagery is used in both creative and destructive ways by adolescent Fijian girls to navigate opportunities and conflicts posed by the rapidly changing social environment. Study respondents indicated their explicit modeling of the perceived positive attributes of characters presented in television dramas, but also the beginnings of weight and body shape preoccupation, purging behavior to control weight, and body disparagement. Response to television appeared to be shaped by a desire for competitive social positioning during a period of rapid social transition. Understanding vulnerability to images and values imported with media will be critical to preventing disordered eating and, potentially, other youth risk behaviors in this population, as well as other populations at risk.

Self-image, war psychotrauma and refugee status in adolescents

The aim of this study was to assess how war psychotrauma, refugee status and other factors relate to self-image. Psychotherapeutic-psychiatric interview, the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ), questionnaires for measuring war stressors, posttraumatic stress reactions (PTS-reactions), depression and general data were administered. A total of 322 adolescents from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia were included in the study. In 60.32% of the examinees, more than four war stressors were encountered. In 13.68% of the examinees, high PTS-reactions occurred. The refugees had nearly four times higher odds (aOR=3.66; 95% CI=1.63-8.2; p<0.01) of having a higher Offer score for the sexual attitudes subscale. Lower war stress had 0.28 times lower odds (aOR=0.28; 95% CI=0.11-0.71; p<0.01) of having a higher Offer score for the sexual attitudes subscale. More severe PTS-reactions had six times higher odds (aOR=6.15; 95% CI=1.7-22.2; p<0.01) of reaching a higher Offer score for the emotional tone subscale. War psychotrauma and refugee status are related to poorer adjustment only in some of the OSIQ subscales. Practical measures of joined sexually preventive/therapeutic activities are proposed, as well as educational and preventive/therapeutic psychotrauma models.

Gender differences in self-esteem in Chinese acute coronary syndrome patients

Summary Objective Self-esteem is an intrinsic psychological domain to recovery following an acute coronary event. However, little research has explored gender differences in self-esteem in the recovery of cardiac patients. The current investigation sought to determine if gender differences in self-esteem were present in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients following hospitalization. Design A mixed-group design was used with gender and observation point (within one week of onset of ACS and at six month follow-up) as independent variables. Setting Patients were recruited from one general university teaching hospital in Hong Kong, with a confirmed diagnosis of myocardial infarction or unstable angina. Main outcome measure The 10-item Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES; [Society and the Adolescent Self-image, Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, 1965]). Results Analysis of covariance revealed a highly significant effect on RSES scores with male patients having greater RSES-rated self-esteem compared to females. No significant improvement in RSES scores were observed at six month follow-up. Conclusions Health professionals need to be aware that gender is an important factor in the self-esteem needs of this clinical group. Given the importance of self-esteem to cardiac rehabilitation practice, the finding of no improvement in self-esteem at follow-up highlights the need to assess this important psychological domain.

Perceived Parental Rearing Style, Self-Esteem and Self-Criticism as Predictors of Happiness

This study set out to determine to what extent three recalled parental (care, discouragement of behavioural freedom, denial of psychological autonomy), self-esteem, and self-criticism predicted self-rated happiness in a normal, non-clinical, population of young people in their late teens and early 20s. Three hundred and sixty-five participants completed four questionnaires: Parental Bonding Instrument (Parker, Tupling and Brown: 1979, British Journal of Medical Psychology 55, pp. 1–10), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg: 1965, Society and the Adolescent Self-Image (Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ)), Self-Criticism Questionnaire (Brewin, Firth-Cozens, Furnham and McManus: 1992, Journal of Abnormal Psychology 101, pp. 561–566), and the Oxford Happiness Inventory (Argyle, Martin and Crossland: 1989, Recent Advances in Social Psychology: An International Perspective (Elsevier, North Holland)). Regressions showed self-esteem (the positive five items) to be the most dominant and powerful correlate of happiness. Maternal care was a significant correlate of both self-esteem and self-criticism. Maternal care was the only direct correlate of happiness when paternal and maternal rearing styles were examined together suggesting that the warmth showed by mothers towards their children was particularly beneficial in increasing the offsprings' scores on self-reported happiness.

Effects of Group Therapy on Female Adolescent Survivors of Sexual Abuse: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Treatment interventions for female sexual abuse survivors was explored through a pilot study examining the relationship between group treatment and adolescent self-image. Self-image was defined as body image, self-reliance, self-control, and impulse-control. An experimental pre-post design was utilized. Participants were 13 female adolescent high school drop-outs with a history of sexual abuse who participated in the National Guard Youth Challenge Program at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. Participants completed the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire for Adolescents. The hypothesis that group therapy was an effective intervention for sexual abuse survivors was not supported; however, this is likely due to the small sample size. Because this was a pilot study, mean trends were observed to see directional changes that may assist future researchers. Observation of mean trends revealed that participants who received group therapy increased in levels of impulse control while the group that did not receive group therapy remained the same. Mean trends also revealed that the experimental group had a decrease in self-reliance whereas the control group maintained their levels of self-reliance.

Self-image of adolescents with diabetes mellitus type-I and rheumatoid arthritis

The purpose of this research was to determine possible differences in the self-concept of chronically ill and healthy adolescents. A group of adolescents with diabetes mellitus type-I (DM) and a group with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were chosen for the study, together with a control group without any chronic illness. The groups were matched for gender, age (DM 17.8, RA 17.9, control group 17.6 years) and social class. The Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ) was used to estimate differences between the groups of 23 DM adolescents, 25 RA adolescents and 26 control group adolescents. The scores are reversed; thus the higher the score, the better the self-image. The results indicate that Body Image, and Vocational and Educational Goals were lower in the groups of chronically ill adolescents than in the control group; however, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups on the OSIQ scales. The self-image of adolescents with DM with good metabolic control and moderate and long-lasting RA is relatively well developed.

Self-image of anorexic and bulimic female adolescents

The purpose of this study was to assess the self-concept using the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ) in groups of Finnish adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, and a normal control group without an eating disorder. A total of 135 adolescent girls aged 16-21 (10 with anorexia nervosa, 10 with bulimia nervosa and 115 normal controls) were investigated using the OSIQ. In comparisons, girls with bulimia nervosa differed significantly from both girls with anorexia nervosa and normal controls with regard to severity on almost all of the OSIQ scales. Girls with anorexia nervosa differed from normal controls only in Emotional Tone and Sexual Attitudes. The findings suggest that anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa should be handled as different groups in assessing self-image with the OSIQ.

Parent–Child Relations and Adolescent Self-Image Following Divorce: A 10 Year Study

This Australian study explored the links between self-image, family structure (divorced or intact), parent–child relations, and gender at 3 intervals over 10 years during adolescence (mean ages 14.7 at Time 1, 17.9 at Time 2) to early adulthood (mean age 24.9 at Time 3). The sample comprised 37 families at the point of divorce when interviewed in 1981–82, and 41 intact families of similar age, gender, and socioeconomic background. Initial measures of self-image (Offer Self-Image Questionnaire: OSIQ) and parent–child relations (Parent Bonding Inventory: PBI) were repeated in 1985 and 1990–91. ANOVAs showed that divorced fathers were perceived as significantly less caring than those from intact families at each interval. There were no family group differences on the control scale, nor on either scale for mothers. Correlations between PBI scales and OSIQ were significant for the sample as a whole, but were stronger for those from intact than divorced families. ANOVAs showed that when mothers' and fathers' parenting styles were seen as highly caring and also not over controlling (i.e., “optimal”), adolescent self-image was significantly better, irrespective of gender or family structure. Examination of the joint influence of both parents showed that at Times 1 and 2 adolescent self-image was significantly better when one or both parents, compared with neither, were optimal. At Time 3, this comparison was significant only when both parents were optimal. Self-image was related to whether or not a custodial parent was seen as optimal but not to the gender of the child or custodial parent.

The role of personality in the development and perpetuation of chronic fatigue syndrome

Objectives: Qualitative evidence suggests that personality may have special relevance to the predisposition, precipitation and perpetuation of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). This study compares three dimensions of personality — perfectionism, self-esteem, and emotional control in the personality profiles of CFS patients ( N=44) and a control group ( N=44) without a history of CFS, matched for age and gender. Methods: Participants were assessed on the MPS [Frost RO, Marten P, Lahart C, Rosenblate R. The dimensions of perfectionism. Cognit Ther Res 1990;14:449–468.]; the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale [Rosenberg M. Society and the Adolescent Self-image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Univ Press, 1965.]; the Courtauld Emotional Scale [Watson M, Greer S. Development of a questionnaire measure of emotional control. J Psychosom Res 1983;27:299–305.] and the Marlowe–Crowne Social Desirability Scale [Crowne DP, Marlowe D. A new scale of social desirability independent of psychopathology. J Consult Psychol 1960;24:349–354.]. Results: Analyses revealed that the CFS group reported higher levels than the control group on the Total Perfectionism score and Doubts about Actions and the Concern over Mistakes subscales. Furthermore, the CFS group also reported lower self-esteem than the control group. No difference between the two groups was found on the dimensions of emotional control and social desirability response bias. Conclusion: A developmental model of CFS, which considers the predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors that may account for the course of the disorder irrespective of etiology, is proposed. In the context of the results, recommendations for practice and future research are discussed.

Variation in self-esteem among adolescents in an Asian/Pacific-Islander sample

Abstract Variation in global self-esteem among adolescents differentiated in terms of age, gender, Hawaiian/part-Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian ethnicity, self-reported grades (SRGs) and socioeconomic status (SES) was examined in the present study. Being older, male or non-Hawaiian and higher SRGs or SES were hypothesized to be associated with higher global self-esteem. Six hundred and ninety-six Hawaiian/part-Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian high school students provided responses to demographic items, the 10-item Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale [RSES; Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image . Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press], and items assessing SRGs and SES. Adolescent males reported significantly higher self-esteem than adolescent females. Adolescents differing in SRGs and SES also varied significantly from one another in self-esteem, with the general pattern indicating higher SRGs and SES to be associated with higher self-esteem. The significant age-by-SRGs interaction effect suggested the consequence of academic success throughout the high school years. Findings regarding the present Asian/Pacific-Islander adolescent sample corresponded with that found for other adolescent samples of different ethnic compositions, which provided support for the generalizability of variation in global self-esteem and its noted correlates across various socio-cultural contexts.

Improving the body image, eating attitudes, and behaviors of young male and female adolescents: A new educational approach that focuses on self-esteem

This study examines the effect of an interactive, school-based, self-esteem education program on the body image and eating attitudes and behaviors of young male and female adolescents following the program and after 12 months. All 470 eligible students (63% female) aged 11-14 years volunteered to participate. The intervention group students participated in the program, whereas the control group students received their scheduled personal development and health class. The program significantly improved the body satisfaction of the intervention students and significantly changed aspects of their self-esteem; social acceptance, physical appearance, and athletic ability became less important for the intervention students and more important for control students. Female intervention students rated their physical appearance as perceived by others significantly higher than control students and allowed their body weight to increase appropriately by preventing the age increase in weight-losing behaviors of the control students. One year after the intervention, body image and attitude changes were still present. These findings also held for the 116 students (63% females) with low self-esteem and higher anxiety, who were considered at risk for the development of eating disorders. These students also had significantly lower drive for thinness and greater body satisfaction following the intervention and the decreased importance of physical appearance to their self-esteem was present at 12 months. Control at-risk students significantly decreased their body weight, whereas the weight of the intervention at-risk students significantly increased. The intervention program was effective, safe, having no effect on measures of students' anxiety or depression, and was rated highly by students. This is the first controlled educational intervention to successfully improve body image and to produce long-term changes in the attitudes and self-image of young adolescents. This new approach to prevent the development of eating disorders by improving self-esteem may be effective, particularly if reinforced by teachers and family.

In the eyes of the beholder: how adolescents, teachers and school counselors construct adolescent images

This study had two objectives: (a) to examine the adolescent image teachers and school counselors construct (category-based images) by comparing it with the adolescent's self-image (self-as-target based), and (b) to explicate the discrepancy between category-based adolescent images as constructed by teachers, counselors, and adolescents by underlying social cognitive processes. To this end, 269 eighth-grade adolescents and 104 junior high school teachers and school counselors responded to the self-image questionnaire for young adolescents (SIQYA). Adolescents responded either to self-image questionnaires or to an adolescent-your-age version and school staff to an eighth-grader image version. One-way MANOVAs comparing the nine SIQYA scales indicated that overall, teachers' and school counselors' adolescent images were less positive than adolescents' adolescent images (as reported both regarding the self or another adolescent). These findings were interpreted in terms of two social psychological processes: positive illusion and adolescent stereotypes. Discussion also addresses the implications of these findings for educators' knowledge regarding normal adolescent processes and psychological hardships intensified during adolescence.

Does bracing affect self-image? A prospective study on 54 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

To evaluate the effect of brace treatment on self-image in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, 54 consecutive patients admitted for brace treatment were interviewed before bracing. A prevalidated questionnaire including the following five aspects of self-image was used: (1) body-image, (2) self-perception of skills and talents, (3) emotional well-being, (4) relations with family, and (5) relations with others. As a control group, the answers of 3465 normal school children were used. Forty-six patients participated in a follow-up interview 1.7 (range 0.8-3.0) years later. In addition, during the first interview, the scoliosis patients answered selected questions about their social circumstances and attitudes towards their forthcoming brace treatment. Grossly, the patient group lived in stable family conditions with a high percentage (40%) of fathers and/or mothers with an academic education or with a high employee status. The patients' relations with families were generally good. Nearly all believed that the brace would affect their posture, but only a few thought that wearing the brace would influence their growth. Two-thirds believed that it would be difficult to wear the brace, and often reflected on the use of it. There were no statistically significant differences between the scoliosis patients and the age-matched controls at the pre-bracing nor at the follow-up interviews. Neither were there any statistically significant differences between the answers of the scoliosis patients in the pre-bracing and follow-up interviews. This was valid for the total score as well as for each subscale item score. It is concluded that wearing the brace does not affect the self-image of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis negatively.

Effets de la puberté sur l'image de soi des adolescents

This research was aimed at assessing the effects of pubertal maturation on the self-image of adolescents. Three components of self-image have been studied: body image (physical well-being, attractiveness and efficiency), perceived relations with peers of the opposite sex, and self-esteem. A sample of 159 French boys and girls aged from 11 to 16.3 years completed self-report scales and a semantic differential. Their pubertal status was measured by school physicians in terms of Tanner stages. Correlational patterns indicated stronger reciprocal links between the different components of self-image in girls than in boys. Results from regression analyses confirmed that the impact of pubertal maturation on self-image is qualitatively very different between the two sexes.

Psychiatrists' concept of adolescent self-image

The objectives of the study were as follows: (1) to determine the accuracy of psychiatrists' concepts of the self-image of healthy and disturbed adolescents, and (2) to examine the effects of psychiatrists' gender, experience, and specialization on the accuracy of these concepts. Toward this end, eighty-four psychiatrists completed a modified Offer Self-image Questionnaire as they believed a mentally healthy 15-year-old of their gender would respond. These responses were compared to those of 140 nonpatient 15-year-olds. Sixty-one psychiatrists completed the questionnaire as they believed a disturbed 15-year-old of their gender would respond. These responses were compared to the responses of 70 psychiatric inpatient 15-year-olds of the same diagnosis. The results were that psychiatrists had a more accurate concept of normal adolescents' self-image than was found in 1981. However, their view of the self-image of disturbed adolescents was more psychopathological than the disturbed adolescents viewed themselves. Psychiatrists' gender, number of years postresidency, and type of training had no effect on the accuracy of the psychiatrists' concepts. The results demonstrate that while psychiatrists work with disturbed adolescents, they have a more accurate perception of the self-image of normal adolescents. This can effect the diagnosis and treatment of adolescent patients.

The Effect of a School-Based Helper Program on Adolescent Self-Image, Attitudes, and Behavior

This study examined the effects of participation in a school-based helper program on adolescents' self-image, attitudes, and behaviors. Seventh-grade students at the junior high where the program was implemented were divided into 2 functional groups, one of which was required to engage in volunteer helping activities for the remainder of the school year, whereas the other group engaged in no such service. It was hypothesized that Helper Program participants (n = 85) relative to nonparticipants (n = 86), and especially boys, would show improvement in 4 domains: self-image, commitment to school and community, problem behavior, and commitment to altruism. The results were gender specific: Participating boys showed positive changes in self-esteem, depressive affect, involvement, and problem behavior relative to other groups. The findings indicate that, with program modifications to augment potential benefits to girls, helper programs might become an important mechanism in producing positive life changes for adolescents.

Helping Postpartum Rural Adolescents Visualize Future Goals

An Art Future Image (AFI) intervention was initiated among postpartum adolescent mothers during the hospitalization period in North Carolina. The aim was to improve adolescents self-image and encourage educational goal setting as a means of changing the cycle of poverty. The hope was that mothers would consider alternatives to public assistance. Nursing students were engaged as teachers during their clinical rotation in the postpartum unit. The project involved 9 mothers (8 Black women and 1 White woman). Women ranged in age from 17 to 24 years. 8 women were single, and all had a low socioeconomic status. Each study participant completed a workbook, which reflected future images as a high school or college graduate, an accountant, and other occupations. The study women selected a future role and spoke about their dreams and plans and constraints to achievement of their goal. Instant photos were taken of the mother and the infant following the interview and the faces placed on personalized body images of their choice. Both students and participants were enthusiastic about the project. An evaluation found, however, that time constraints of staff nurses would prohibit the use of this intervention model. The suggestion was made for this module to be incorporated into two 30 minute classes as part of postpartum classes. Mothers wanted only one time slot. Suggestions were made to expand the AFI program at other postpartum check-up times or when counseling on family planning. Other members of the family unit could be included. The long-term impact of AFI needs to be evaluated.

The self-image of adolescents with cystic fibrosis

The changing expectations, therapies and outcomes for young people with cystic fibrosis (CF) necessitate a re-evaluation of the impact of this chronic illness on adolescent development. The aim of this study was to assess the psychological well-being and adjustment of contemporary adolescents with CF. Forty-nine adolescents with CF (24 males, 25 females) aged 14-18 years were enrolled from the Royal Children's Hospital CF Clinic, Melbourne, Australia. The Offer Self-Image Questionnaire was administered to participating subjects whose growth and pubertal developmental and pulmonary function was assessed. The mean (SD) FEV1% was 82 (21), and mean (SD) National Institute of Health clinical score was 81 (12). There were no significant differences between males and females in pulmonary function or clinical scores, but growth and pubertal development were delayed in both sexes. Females, but not males, with CF were less well-adjusted than their healthy peers. Two-way analysis of variance was performed and showed significant sex differences in sub-scales of the Offer questionnaire numbers I, II, III, VI, VIII, IX, as well as in the total score. Age was significant only for scales II and VIII, and only scale II displayed an interaction between sex and age. This study suggests that adjustment and self-esteem are less than ideal in young people with CF, especially females.

The adolescent athlete. Part 1: Preseason preparation and examination

The benefits of athletics to adolescent self-image and physical and social growth are widely recognized, but participation in sports also presents inherent risks to this population. Nurse practitioners assist in developing a safe athletic environment for teenagers through preseason preparation and anticipatory guidance. The health maintenance examination and preseason screening merge to form an educational opportunity for the teenager, parents, and coaches. This article is the first in a three-part series addressing the nurse practitioner's role in the health maintenance of the adolescent athlete.

Comparison of the self-image of teenagers in Finland, the United States, and Germany

In this research, the self-image of Finnish adolescents was compared with the self-images of American and West German adolescents. Results show that there are statistically significant differences between Finnish adolescents and American adolescents in five areas. Finnish adolescents are emotionally healthier than American adolescents, and their mood is better. American adolescents have higher vocational and educational goals than Finnish adolescents, and their adaptation skills to immediate environment and their coping skills are better. Differences between Finnish and West German adolescents are found in four scales. The affective harmony of the psychic structure of Finnish adolescents and their object relationships and friendships are better developed than those of West German adolescents. West German adolescents have higher vocational and educational goals than Finnish adolescents and their coping skills with themselves, other people, and their own world are better. Emotional tone (mood) is an area where Finnish adolescents scored higher than the American and the West German adolescents. Vocational and educational goals and adjustment skills are well developed in adolescents from the United States and West Germany. Adolescents in these three countries are alike in Impulse Control, Body Image, Sexual Attitudes, and Family Relations.