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Gender differences in self-consistency: Evidence from an investigation of self-concept structure
1Department of Sociology, Brown University, 02912, Providence, RI.
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
|November 27, 2013
Summary
This study shows self-esteem influences self-consistency, with gender differences in this relationship. Other self-concept aspects partially explain how self-esteem affects consistency, varying by gender.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Self-concept comprises motivational components like self-esteem and self-consistency.
- Prior research indicates a positive correlation between high self-esteem and self-consistency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal relationship between self-esteem and self-consistency.
- To examine the mediating roles of self-consciousness, fantasy, and false-front tendencies in this relationship.
- To explore gender differences in the self-esteem-self-consistency link.
Main Methods:
- Employed structural equation modeling with unobserved variables.
- Utilized analysis of covariance structures on data from boys and girls (ages 8-19).
Main Results:
- Self-esteem was found to be causally prior to self-consistency.
- The direct effect of self-esteem on self-consistency was stronger in boys than in girls.
- Mediational pathways involving other self-concept components differed between genders.
Conclusions:
- The findings support a model where self-esteem influences self-consistency, partially mediated by other self-concept elements.
- Observed gender differences in these processes are interpreted through the lens of gender socialization theories.
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