TRANSITIONS DURING EARLY ADOLESCENCE - CHANGES IN CHILDRENS DOMAIN-SPECIFIC SELF-PERCEPTIONS AND GENERAL SELF-ESTEEM ACROSS THE TRANSITION TO JUNIOR-HIGH-SCHOOL

Young adolescents' (N = 1,850) achievement self-perceptions in 4 activity domains (math, English, social activities, and sports) and self-esteem were examined across the transition from elementary to junior high school. Self-esteem scores declined across the transition to junior high, but increased during 7th grade. Self-concepts of ability for math, English, and social activities declined after transition, but perceptions of social ability increased during 7th grade. Perceptions of sports ability declined across 6th and 7th grades. The liking of math and sports declined over time, whereas liking of English and social activities declined immediately after transition but increased across 7th grade. Many of these changes are attributed to changes in the school and classroom environments encountered on entering junior high school.