A Longitudinal Study of Self-Esteem: Implications for Adolescent Development

摘要: This study used a cluster analytic approach to identify self-esteem trajectories among adolescents over four-year period from sixth tenth grades (N = 1,160). Four were identified that replicated previous research: (1) consistently high, (2) moderate and rising, (3) steadily decreasing, (4) low. Female more likely be in the decreasing group while male rising group. African American white youth equally distributed across groups. Using repeated measures analysis, we found with high reported developmentally healthier outcomes Grade 10 than other two clusters. Outcomes included susceptibility peer pressure, school grades, alcohol use. Implications of these results for studying developmental change generally are discussed.