Self-esteem in early adolescence: The identification and prediction of contrasting longitudinal trajectories
- 1 February 1991
- journal article
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of Youth and Adolescence
- Vol. 20 (1), 53-72
- https://doi.org/10.1007/bf01537351
Abstract
The present study focused on differences in self-esteem trajectory in early adolescence rather than on average change across all children. Longitudinal data from 128 adolescents were obtained over a 2-year period that encompassed the transition from elementary school to junior high school. Cluster analysis revealed four markedly divergent self-esteem trajectories: consistently high (35%), chronically low (13%), steeply declining (21%), and small increase (31%). Attempts to predict trajectories were only partially successful. Peer social support was the strongest predictor, but its relation to self-esteem appears more circumscribed than had been thought. The discussion considers differences in the experience of early adolescence, as well as implications for the design and evaluation of preventive intervention.Keywords
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