Self-esteem in adolescent females.
OBJECTIVE
Self-esteem is a major "predictor" of satisfaction with life. This longitudinal study examined mean and individual changes in self-esteem, and how self-esteem is affected by race and body mass.


METHODS
Girls were recruited at ages 9 and 10 years, and followed to age 22 years. The Harter Self-Perception Profile was administered every other year, analyzing scores from the Global Self-Worth Scale, by age or developmental phase: ages 9-12 (I), 13-16 (II), and 17-22 (III). Regression modeling included main effects and interactions between age/phase, race, and body mass index (BMI).


RESULTS
Self-worth was greater in black than white women, and greater with lower BMI in both races. In the model with age ("traditional model") (with race and BMI), significant variables included BMI (inverse relationship) and the interactions between age and race, race and BMI, and the triple interaction between age, race, and BMI. In the model with phase ("transitional model") (with race and BMI), BMI, and the interactions between BMI and race, and race and phase, were significant. For example, self-worth was generally lower in Phase II (middle adolescence) for white women. Self-esteem tracked significantly (correlation 0.22, p < .001). An individual's self-worth during any given phase of adolescence was correlated significantly with the other two phases.


CONCLUSIONS
In this longitudinal analysis of self-esteem in adolescent girls, race and BMI are important predictors of self-esteem. Self-esteem is consistent across the phases of adolescence, and comparable with other personality traits. As noted by others, lower levels of self-esteem may increase the vulnerability of adolescents to risky behaviors.
Biro
Frank M
FM
Division of Adolescent Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA. frank.biro@cchmc.org
Striegel-Moore
Ruth H
RH
Franko
Debra L
DL
Padgett
Justina
J
Bean
Judy A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American