Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
07:56
Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
Published on: September 19, 2019
Characterizing the self-system over time in adolescence: internal structure and associations with internalizing
Seth J Schwartz1, Theo A Klimstra, Koen Luyckx
1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA. SSchwartz@med.miami.edu
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
|March 10, 2012
Summary
Self-concept clarity influences adolescent mental health over time. Clearer self-concepts precede lower anxiety and depression, while identity commitment and reconsideration are bidirectional. This research explores self-system development and internalizing symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Adolescent Mental Health
- Self and Identity Processes
Background:
- Longitudinal effects of self and identity processes on internalizing symptoms are poorly understood.
- Early adolescence is a critical period for self-system development and the emergence of mental health challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the over-time effects of identity commitment, reconsideration of commitments, and self-concept clarity.
- To investigate the interplay between these self/identity processes and anxiety/depressive symptoms in early adolescence.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study with 923 Dutch adolescents assessed annually for five years.
- Utilized multivariate growth curve and cross-lagged panel models to analyze temporal relationships.
Main Results:
- A bidirectional association was found between self-concept clarity and identity commitment.
- Reconsideration of identity commitments was linked to dissatisfaction with self-concept clarity and commitments.
- Self-concept clarity, but not commitment or reconsideration, predicted lower levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms over time.
Conclusions:
- Self-concept clarity plays a crucial role in adolescent mental health, preceding the onset of internalizing symptoms.
- Understanding the structure of the self-system is vital for addressing anxiety and depression in early adolescence.
Related Concept Videos
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
01:17Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
Erik Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, "identity versus role confusion," is crucial during adolescence (ages 12 to 18). In this stage, adolescents face the developmental task of forging a distinct personal identity, a process influenced by social, psychological, and biological changes typical of this period. Adolescents naturally explore different roles, behaviors, and ideologies as they navigate complex questions of self-concept, asking, "Who am I?" and "What is my place in...
01:18Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Self-esteem, a crucial component of psychological development, is significantly shaped by familial experiences. The early parent-child relationship serves as a foundational influence on a child's self-concept, with long-lasting effects extending into adolescence and adulthood.Parental Behaviors and Early Self-Esteem FormationEmpirical studies have identified four principal parental behaviors that foster healthy self-esteem in children. These include expressions of acceptance, affection, and...
01:19Self-Concept
Self-concept is the cognitive and emotional understanding individuals hold about their identity. It evolves through various developmental stages, beginning in infancy and maturing as children grow. This concept influences how individuals perceive their abilities, interact with others, and manage challenges throughout life.
Infancy and Emerging Recognition
During infancy, self-concept is virtually nonexistent. Babies do not distinguish themselves as separate entities and often mistake their...
Infancy and Emerging Recognition
During infancy, self-concept is virtually nonexistent. Babies do not distinguish themselves as separate entities and often mistake their...
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group effort.
02:16Self-Schemas
In general, a schema is a mental construct consisting of a cluster or collection of related concepts (Bartlett, 1932). There are many different types of schemata, and they all have one thing in common: schemata are a method of organizing information that allows the brain to work more efficiently. When a schema is activated, the brain makes immediate assumptions about the person or object being observed.