Self-system influences during early adolescence: Investigation of an integrative model

An integrative model of self-system influences during early adolescence was investigated in two separate samples of youth in Grades 7 through 9 (n = 225) and Grades 5 through 8 (n = 350). Measures assessed self-description, self-standards, self-evaluations, and self-values in the areas of peers, school, family appearance, and sports/athletics as well as global self-esteem. For both samples, structural equation modeling analyses provided support for a hypothesized model that included (a) effects of self-descriptions and self-standards on self-evaluations in corresponding domains and (b) effects of domain-specific self-evaluations, in turn, on global self-esteem. There was only limited evidence that the values youth attached to differing domains moderated the relationship between self-evaluations in those domains and overall feelings of self-worth. Differences in model fit according to gender; race/ethnicity, developmental level, and family socioeconomic status were generally absent. Significant differences in mean levels of measures, however; were found across subgroups of youth.