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Qualitative study of self-concept in adolescents from divorced families
Author
Tan, Trina Li Lian
Supervisor
Wong, Eleanor
Abstract
The primary objective of this study was to investigate if there was any change in the self-concept of adolescents with the occurrence of a divorce in the family.
The adolescents were four students from the same school. The school is a co-educational secondary school. The students were all currently undergoing counselling with the author to help them cope with the divorce and the effects arising from the divorce. Three of the subjects were girls, with only one boy. Out of these four subjects, only the 15-year-old girl and the 17-year-old boy have been referred by the teachers to see the school counsellor. These two adolescents have been seen to exhibit certain unusual behaviours, which were not part of their usual interaction. The two adolescents concerned had actually exhibited defiant behaviours towards authority in the school. Upon taking action, the teachers discovered that these two adolescents were undergoing a divorce in the family and had them promptly referred to the author.
Using Harter's Self-perception Profile for Adolescents (1988), the author used two questionnaires constructed and revised by Harter (1988). This was administered to the sample. Ratings were obtained from the two questionnaires to study the four individuals. The two questionnaires were: a 45-item "What I am like" questionnaire and a 16-item "How important are each of these to you?" questionnaire.
The 45-item questionnaire measured the subjects' perceived Competence Ratings of the subscales, while the 16-item questionnaire measured the subjects' importance Ratings of the same subscales.
The 9 subscales were Scholastic Competence, Social Acceptance, Athletic Competence, Physical Appearance, Job Competence, Romantic Appeal, Behavioural Conduct, Close Friendships and Global Self-worth.
A comparison was done between the Competence Rating and the Importance Ratings of each subject, in their Personal Profiles.
A face-to-face interview was also conducted to verify any effects of the divorce on their academic functioning.
The results showed that the divorce did not have an adverse effect on their academic functioning. Rather the parental strife before and or after the divorce posed a greater effect on their academic functioning. The Personal Profiles indicated that Close Friendship was rated as high in importance by all the subjects, but low in competence by three of the subjects. The need for intimacy seemed to conflict with their academic functioning. Perhaps, the relationship between Close Friendship and Scholastic Competence could be studied further.
The adolescents were four students from the same school. The school is a co-educational secondary school. The students were all currently undergoing counselling with the author to help them cope with the divorce and the effects arising from the divorce. Three of the subjects were girls, with only one boy. Out of these four subjects, only the 15-year-old girl and the 17-year-old boy have been referred by the teachers to see the school counsellor. These two adolescents have been seen to exhibit certain unusual behaviours, which were not part of their usual interaction. The two adolescents concerned had actually exhibited defiant behaviours towards authority in the school. Upon taking action, the teachers discovered that these two adolescents were undergoing a divorce in the family and had them promptly referred to the author.
Using Harter's Self-perception Profile for Adolescents (1988), the author used two questionnaires constructed and revised by Harter (1988). This was administered to the sample. Ratings were obtained from the two questionnaires to study the four individuals. The two questionnaires were: a 45-item "What I am like" questionnaire and a 16-item "How important are each of these to you?" questionnaire.
The 45-item questionnaire measured the subjects' perceived Competence Ratings of the subscales, while the 16-item questionnaire measured the subjects' importance Ratings of the same subscales.
The 9 subscales were Scholastic Competence, Social Acceptance, Athletic Competence, Physical Appearance, Job Competence, Romantic Appeal, Behavioural Conduct, Close Friendships and Global Self-worth.
A comparison was done between the Competence Rating and the Importance Ratings of each subject, in their Personal Profiles.
A face-to-face interview was also conducted to verify any effects of the divorce on their academic functioning.
The results showed that the divorce did not have an adverse effect on their academic functioning. Rather the parental strife before and or after the divorce posed a greater effect on their academic functioning. The Personal Profiles indicated that Close Friendship was rated as high in importance by all the subjects, but low in competence by three of the subjects. The need for intimacy seemed to conflict with their academic functioning. Perhaps, the relationship between Close Friendship and Scholastic Competence could be studied further.
Date Issued
1999
Call Number
BF724.3.S35 Tan
Date Submitted
1999