1 Alexandre J. S. Morin, Substantive-Methodological Synergy Research Laboratory Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.
2 A. Katrin Arens, German Institute for International Educational Research, Frankfurt, Germany.
3 Danielle Tracey, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.
4 Philip D. Parker, Joseph Ciarrochi, and Rhonda G. Craven, Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, Strathfield, Australia; and.
5 Christophe Maïano, Cyberpsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychoeducation and Psychology, Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO), Saint-Jérôme, Canada.

Self-Esteem Trajectories and Their Social Determinants in Adolescents With Different Levels of Cognitive Ability.

Am J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2017 11;122(6):539-560

Authors: Morin AJS, Arens AK, Tracey D, Parker PD, Ciarrochi J, Craven RG, Maïano C

Abstract

This study examines the development of self-esteem in a sample of 138 Australian adolescents (90 males; 48 females) with cognitive abilities in the lowest 15% (L-CA) and a matched sample of 556 Australian adolescents (312 males; 244 females) with average to high levels of cognitive abilities (A/H-CA). These participants were measured annually (Grade 7 to 12). The findings showed that adolescents with L-CA and A/H-CA experience similar high and stable self-esteem trajectories that present similar relations with key predictors (sex, school usefulness and dislike, parenting, and peer integration). Both groups revealed substantial gender differences showing higher levels of self-esteem for adolescent males remaining relatively stable over time, compared to lower levels among adolescent females which decreased until midadolescence before increasing back.

PMID: 29115873 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]