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?