Adaptação do Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC) de Harter a crianças e pré-adolescentes

Abstract

This study presents the adaptation to Portuguese children and early adolescents (3rd to 7th grade) of a multidimensional self-concept instrument designed by Harter (1985; 1979), tapping six domains of self-concept (self-competence and self-adequacy): scholastic competence, social acceptance, athletic competence, physical appearance, behavioral conduct and global self-worth. The Portuguese version presents lower internal consistency reliabilities, evaluated by Cronbach’s alpha, than the original one, evidencing the unstability of self-concept dimensions during this age. The results of the factorial analysis and of the correlational studies among the several dimensions evidenced a low differentiation of the several self-concept areas during childhood and early adolescence. The results of differential studies showed that girls see themselves as better behaved than boys and that boys see themselves as more athletically competent than girls, and also that 5th graders see themselves as more competent in five domains of self-concept that 7th graders. These results support the construct validity of the scale.