Self-concepts, domain values, and self-esteem: relations and changes at early adolescence.
We assessed how children's self-concepts of ability for mathematics, English, social, and physical skills activities, ratings of the importance of these activities, and general self-esteem change across the transition to junior high school. Three types of change were assessed: change in mean levels, change in stability, and change in relationships. Twice each year during the sixth and seventh grades, 1,450 children completed questionnaires. Mean levels of children's self-esteem were lowest immediately after the transition, but recovered during seventh grade. Self-concept of ability and importance ratings for math and sports activities showed linear declines. Self-concept of ability for social activities showed a cubic trend, but importance ratings for social activities declined in a linear fashion. Children's self-concepts of ability for math and English became less stable across the junior high transition, whereas beliefs about other activities and general self-esteem were more stable in seventh grade.
Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48106.
J S
JS
Eccles
A
A
Wigfield
C A
CA
Flanagan
C
C
Miller
D A
DA
Reuman
D
D
Yee
D000293:Adolescent; D001076:Aptitude; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008433:Mathematics; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012649:Self Concept; D012945:Social Values; D013177:Sports; D013663:Teaching