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Gender Differences in Adolescents' Possible Selves

Bibliographic Data

ID2328604
AuthorsMichele Knox (0000-0002-5234-8610, Medical College of Ohio), Jeanne Funk (University of Toledo), Jeanne B Funk (University of Toledo), Robert Elliott (0000-0002-3527-3397, University of Toledo), Ellen Greene Bush (Psychological Resources Ltd.), Ellen Bush (Hologic (Germany))
Year2000
Volume31
Issue3
Pages287-309
Publication date2000-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueYouth & Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0044-118X • E-ISSN: 1552-8499
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0044118x00031003002
OpenAlexW2058292105
LanguageEN
Citations received34
References cited28

The purpose of the study was to better understand gender differences in global self-esteem at adolescence by examining the content of and gender differences within adolescents' 'possible selves.' Possible selves are self-conceptions about both what an individual hopes to become and fears becoming. Results support the hypothesis that adolescents are able to access and report a vast array of possible selves. As hypothesized, female adolescents rated feared possible selves as more likely than boys. Girls accessed more feared possible selves related to relational functioning, whereas boys generated more feared possible selves related to occupation, general failure, and inferiority. No gender differences in likelihood or content of hoped-for possible selves were demonstrated. Results indicate that differences in boys' and girls' self-views may be rooted in the experienced importance and likelihood of feared selves. Implications for assessment and treatment addressing adolescent self-esteem are discussed

Adolescent development · Content (measure theory) · Developmental psychology · Self-concept · Self-esteem · Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Psychology · Social Psychology

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Unique citing works34
Citations per year1,55
Citation span2004 - 2026 (23)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 31
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