The Boundary Organization of Self-Concept Across the 13 Through 18 Year Age Span

The structure of adolescent self-concept was examined across the age span of 13 through 18 years. Six thousand students in grades 7 thru 12 who completed the Self Observation Scales Junior and Senior High Level comprised the student population. Six homogeneous age and grade groups were selected. The factor structures of the six grade groups were compared to determine the stability of the structure of self-concept across the adolescent years. Seven dimensions of self-concept were found to be stable while one dimension of self-concept changed across the age span. The findings lend support to the theoretical postulation that there is a reorganization of the boundaries of self-concept which occurs near age 16 (grade 10).