© 2008 Child Trends BACKGROUND Children in the United States tend to experience a de- cline in positive self-concept during their adolescent years. This decline often begins around age 12 for girls and around age 14 for boys. For some, the de- cline can become severe in early adolescence (between the ages 14 and 16) before generally recov- ering in the mid-teen years. 1 Having a negative self- concept during adolescence has been associated with maladaptive behaviors and emotions. In contrast, having a positive self-concept has been linked to positive social and emotional development. This brief discusses child and adolescent self-concept and pro- vides information for out-of-school time program practitioners on how to assess self-concept among program participants. The brief also suggests ways that program practitioners can foster positive self- concept in adolescents. WHAT IS SELF-CONCEPT? Self-concept refers to self-evaluation or self- perception, and it represents the sum of an individ- ual’s beliefs about his or her own attributes. Self- concept reflects how an adolescent evaluates himself or herself in domains (or areas) in which he or she considers success important. 2 An adolescent can have a positive self-concept in some domains and a nega- tive self-concept in others. Research also suggests that each individual has a global (or overall) self- concept that reflects how the individual evaluates his or her self-worth as a whole. 3 …information for program providers on assessing and enhancing self-concept among adolescents. August 2008 ASSESSING WHAT KIDS THINK ABOUT THEMSELVES: A GUIDE TO ADOLESCENT SELF-CONCEPT FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME PROGRAM PRACTITIONERS Alena M. Hadley, M.S., Elizabeth C. Hair, Ph.D., and Kristin Anderson Moore, Ph.D. Publication #2008-32 An adolescent can make targeted self-evaluations in a number of different domains. Researchers have identified the following eight domains that make up an adolescent’s self-concept: 4 • Scholastic competence • Athletic competence • Physical appearance • Peer acceptance • Close friendships • Romantic relationships • Job competence • Conduct/morality An adolescent’s self-concept is dynamic, and causal- ity is complex. That is, problems and difficulties can lower self-concept; but low self-concept can also cause problems. For example, researchers have found that levels of self-worth in each of the above domains are associated with behaviors and accom- plishments relevant to success in those particular areas of development. For adolescents, having a high academic self-concept is associated with positive academic performance 5 and having a high physical self-concept is related to increased physical activity, for example. 6 Positive overall self-concepts have been linked to various markers of positive develop- ment, including positive peer relationships 10 and overall happiness. 11 Having an overall negative self-concept in adoles- cence has been associated with depression, 7 drug use, 8 and eating disorders in girls. 9 Both male and female adolescents struggle with negative self- concepts, but female adolescents tend to worry more