View article

Theoretical models suggest that 4-and 5-year-old children should be able to differentiate between multiple dimensions of self-concept, but empirical support is limited. A new 38-item Self Description Questionnaire for Preschoolers (SDQP) that measures 6 self-concept factors (Physical, Appearance, Peers, Parents, Verbal, and Math) was developed and tested. Through an individual-interview procedure, young children (4.0-5.6 years) completed the SDQP and achievement tests. The self-concept scales were reliable (. 75-. 89), first-order and higher order confirmatory factor analysis models fit the data, and factor correlations were mostly moderate (-. 03-. 73; Mdn=. 29). Achievement test scores correlated modestly with academic self-concept factors (rs=. 15-. 40) but were nonsignificantly or significantly negatively related to nonacademic self-concepts. The results contribute to the critical debate about the validity of self …