The Development of Multiple Self-Concept Dimensions During Adolescence.

The purpose of this research was to analyze the development of self-concept during adolescence. Participants included 484 teenagers (226 boys and 258 girls) from middle-class families in the Basque Country region of Spain (Mage  = 14.99, SD = 1.81 in Time 1 and Mage  = 15.64, SD = 1.80 in Time 2). Longitudinal analysis found differences in the general school dimension. Six dimensions (math, verbal, general school, physical abilities, parent relationships and same-sex relationships) reported a linear trend with a decreasing monotonic pattern; self-esteem fit a cubic trend and physical appearance a quadratic trend line. Males showed higher means in self-esteem, math, physical abilities, physical appearance, emotional stability and parent relationships; and females had higher values in verbal and general school.