Adolescent Self-image Research Articles

Evolving self-image in young adolescents: Relationships with pubertal manifestations and hormones

Evolving self-image in young adolescents: Relationships with pubertal manifestations and hormones

Individual Differences in the Self-image of Adolescents with Learning Disabilities: The Roles of Severity, Time of Diagnosis, and Parental Perceptions

The self-images of 49 adolescents with learning disabilities (Grades 9 through 12, mean age = 15.9) and 49 normally achieving peers (Grades 9 through 12, mean age = 16.0) were compared using the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ). The group with LD scored significantly lower than the comparison group on 4 of the 10 OSIQ scales. Later-diagnosed adolescents with LD scored significantly higher than early-diagnosed adolescents on two of the scales. Severity of the learning disability was not found to be related to self-image scores. In a second study, parental perceptions of the self-images of 28 of the 49 students with LD were studied by administering the Offer Parent-Adolescent Questionnaire (OPAQ) and an informal questionnaire to their parents. On 6 of the 10 OPAQ scales, parents perceived their children as having a lower self-image than the adolescents themselves reported. Significant but moderate relationships were found between parents' perceptions and adolescent self-image scores. Results of the two studies are interpreted in terms of a multidimensional conception of self-image that considers factors inherent to the individual as well as interpersonal and institutional factors.

Self-Image Among Early Adolescents: Revisited

Early adolescence is the developmental period during which children make the physical, psychological, cognitive, and social transitions to adolescence. Because the development of a healthy conceptualization of the self is foundational to adequate functioning later in life, self-image is a concept of interest to clinicians and researchers. Offer, Ostrov, and Howard (1981) conducted considerable research in the area and demonstrated that early adolescents have the capacity for self-reflection and are willing to share their reflections with others. Most early adolescents tend to be self-conscious due, chiefly, to the numerous physical and emotional changes occurring during this time period (M. P. Strommen & A. L. Strommen, 1985). Behavior is characterized by moodiness, impulsiveness, peer influence (Robin, 1985), and a growing resistance to authority. These factors usually result in an awkward child attempting to exert independence in an unprecedented fashion about a variety of topics (Manning, 1983). The purpose of this study was to investigate the self-image of early adolescents, aged 11 to 14 years, in order to plan for the health and developmental needs of middle school children and their families. Survey data were collected to answer the questions: (a) What is the self-image of a representative sample of middle school students in the community?; and (b) Are there differences in self-image based on gender, race, and parental occupation?

The Health of adolescents: understanding and facilitating biological, behavioral, and social development

Sociodemographic trends and projections in the adolescent population. Part 1 Normal adolescent growth and development: physical growth and development in normal adolescents psychological development in normal adolescents. Part 2 Precursors of adolescent health problems: the influence of the family and social environment effects of poverty and affluence the role of education and extracurricular activities life-style, risk taking, and out-of-control behaviour. Part 3 Adolescent health issues: substance abuse sexually transmitted diseases pregnancy and its outcome chronic illness and disability injuries disorders of self-image, depression, and suicide maltreatment of adolescents. Part 4 Adolescents' access to care: difficulties in recognizing adolescent health issues analyzing, planning, implementing, and sustaining successful interventions overcoming barriers to health care access economic issues affecting health care access adolescents' compliance with therapeutic regimens. Part 5 Meeting the Health Service needs of adolescents the responsibility of health care professionals toward adolescents the role of social support and social networks in improving the health of adolescents.

Relationship between Self-Image and Depression in Adolescents

The study investigated the relationship between self-concept and depression among 202 adolescents using a multidimensional measure of self-concept, the Offer Self-image Questionnaire, and the Children's Depression Scale. Correlations were significant and low to moderate (range from .24 to .67) for both 63 boys and 139 girls.

The pediatrician's concept of the normal adolescent

Complete medical assessment of an adolescent requires understanding of the normal psychological state, including self-image. To determine the pediatrician's knowledge about the self-image of normal adolescents, 33 house staff and 36 attending pediatricians in a major teaching center completed the Offer Physician-Adolescent Questionnaire (OPAQ), a scale that measures adult perceptions of adolescent self-image. Forty-one male and 28 female pediatricians completed the 50-item questionnaire as they believed a “mentally healthy, well-adjusted adolescent” would. Pediatricians' responses did not differ by sex, age, or status as resident or attending. Percentage endorsements for each item were converted to standard scores for 11 scales. The scale scores were then compared with previously established norms for healthy adolescents and adolescents with cystic fibrosis. Pediatricians accurately predicted the normal adolescent responses for only two scales: vocational and educational goals and superior adjustment. Pediatricians responded more positively than the adolescents to items on the idealism scale. For the remaining eight scales, the pediatricians responded more negatively than did normal adolescents and teens with cystic fibrosis. The pediatricians' view of normal adolescent self-image seems to be more pessimistic than what adolescents report.

Enhancement of Body-Image: A Structured Art Therapy Group with Adolescents

AbstractThis paper presents a structured, short-term art therapy group designed to enhance the self and body image of adolescents with emotional disturbances. The concept of self and body image is reviewed with a focus on the developmental phase of adolescence. The focused exercises utilized in the group is described with explanations and descriptions of purpose.The influence of the group on the development of the self concept is explored in general, and the specific therapeutic use of the group in this context is emphasized. This art therapy group has been developed and used at the Summit Institute, a psychiatric residential treatment facility for emotionally disturbed adolescents and young adults in Jerusalem, Israel, and has been found effective in providing group members with an experience whereby they can begin to perceptually, emotionally and cognitively work through conflictual issues related to their self and body image.

A study of the relationship between life events and disturbed self image in adolescents

The occurrence and subjective importance of a list of life events were determined in 1296 adolescents and compared with the risk of a disturbed self image, as assessed on the basis of Offer's (1981) questionnaire. A disturbed self image was shown by 24·2 per cent of the sample, and it was significantly associated with a reported excess of events (one standard deviation above the mean), and with the reporting of specific classes of events. These included serious disagreement between parents, sudden decrease in family income, serious abuse either within the family or outside the family, and having had an abortion. The events were sorted and ranked by the observed values of their sample frequency, subjective importance, and assessed risk of a disturbed self image. The rarest and subjectively most important events were often associated with a higher risk of a disturbed self image, and the role of reporting such “exceptional” experiences is discussed.

Self-Image and Educational Plans of Adolescents from Two Contrasting Communities

This study examined self-image and educational plans in adolescents from two communities differing in geographic location (rural vs. suburban), socioeconomic status, educational attainment of adults, and unemployment level, differences hypothesized to affect their educational plans and self-image. Young adolescents in the eighth grade were sampled as part of two larger longitudinal studies (rural, n = 234; suburban, n = 253). Each adolescent reported educational plans and completed three scales from the Self-Image Questionnaire for Young Adolescents (SIQYA). The links of self-image and educational plans to parental educational attainment also were considered. Adolescent educational plans and self-image were consistently and significantly lower in the rural community. Within the rural sample, young adolescents with lower aspirations also had lower self-image. Self-image and educational plans were related to parental educational attainment primarily in the rural sample. These results suggested that community context may influence the nature of adolescent development.

Transcultural comparisons of self-image in German and United States adolescents

Based on the Offer Selfimage Questionnaire (OSIQ), the selfimage of German and United States adolescents was compared. The German study was based on OSIQ protocols from 365 adolescents in West Berlin while the American sample comprised adolescents drawn from seven cities in the United States. With respect to three scales, United States adolescents report better adjustment than do the German adolescents. These scales were Mastery of the External World, Vocational and Educational Goals, and Superior Adjustment. In general, these two Western societies share more similarities than differences in the selfimages of their adolescents.

Patterns of Adolescent Self-Image

Patterns of Adolescent Self-Image

Hungarian adolescents' self-concept

Hungarian and United States adolescents' self-image was studied using the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ). In Hungary, 1,163 younger and older male and female adolescents were studied using a Hungarian translation of the OSIQ. Analyses of endorsement patterns of OSIQ items showed that Hungarian and American adolescents endorsed many items in the same way. Similarities in endorsement patterns were much more common between the two countries than were differences. Analyses of OSIQ scales showed that for most scales younger Hungarian adolescents reported better adjustment than younger American adolescents. Differences were not as great or reversed in the older age groups. Implications for cross-cultural studies of adolescent self-image were drawn based on these results.

Patterns of Adolescent Self-Image

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Book ReviewNo AccessPatterns of Adolescent Self-ImageCarl Goldberg, Ph.D.Carl GoldbergNew York, N.Y.Search for more papers by this author, Ph.D.Published Online:30 Apr 2018https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.1985.39.4.598AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail "Patterns of Adolescent Self-Image." American Journal of Psychotherapy, 39(4), pp. 598–599 Access content To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access. Personal login Institutional Login Sign in via OpenAthens Purchase Save for later Item saved, go to cart PPV Articles - APT - American Journal of Psychotherapy $35.00 Add to cart PPV Articles - APT - American Journal of Psychotherapy Checkout Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability. Not a subscriber? Subscribe Now / Learn More PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development. Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.). FiguresReferencesCited byDetailsCited byNone Volume 39Issue 4 1985, pp. 451–609Pages 598-599 Metrics PDF download History Published online 30 April 2018 Published in print 1 October 1985

Psychopathology and adolescent self-image.

AbstractDistinct patterns of self‐image characterize adolescents with different DSM‐III diagnoses.

Effects of School Policies on the Self-Image of Adolescents from Three Ethnic Groups

Effects of School Policies on the Self-Image of Adolescents from Three Ethnic Groups

Self image in obese adolescents

Self image in obese adolescents

Adolescent conceptions of the homeland: A cross-cultural study

Irish (135) and United States (123) subjects, aged from 8 to 17 years, wrote essays on their respective homelands. A content analysis revealed that American subjects, as they grow older, identify the homeland increasingly with its political ideals, while Irish subjects identify theirs with certain psychological ideals which they associate with the rural culture and landscape. Irish essays tended to be longer and more varied, and they showed a higher level of affective development. Profiles of the homeland on 7 semantic differential scales showed the break-up of a halo effect in the Irish sample. Adolescents in both countries showed a transition from concrete to abstract topics with age. The implications of these findings for research on the adolescent self-image are discussed.

Family perceptions of adolescent self-image

This study examined relationships between adolescents' self-image and perceptions of these adolescents held by their parents. It was hypothesized that parents would generally agree with their children's self-perceptions and that greater congruence between parents and their children would be associated with greater positive adolescent self-image. One hundred and six normal families participated in this study in the spring of 1981. Results showed that parents accurately perceive their adolescent children's selfimage. Specific areas of disagreement between parents and adolescents are discussed. Other results showed that mother-father agreement is associated with positive descriptions by the adolescents of their family and a positive attitude toward vocational and educational goals. Mother-child congruence scores were more highly correlated with adolescents' self-image than fatherchild congruence scores. Daughters' self-image was more highly associated with parent-child agreement than was sons' self-image.

Self-image in adolescents with delayed puberty and growth retardation

Fifty-six adolescents with varying combinations of pubertal delay and growth retardation were given the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire. Delay in sexual maturation by itself had no significant deleterious effect on self-image; however, growth retardation did. These results have important implications in determining indications for the endocrinological treatment of pubertal disorders.

Use of lisrel in the solution to a higher-order factor problem in a study of adolescent self-images

Use of lisrel in the solution to a higher-order factor problem in a study of adolescent self-images