Date of Award

Spring 2007

Project Type

Thesis

Program or Major

Counseling

Degree Name

Master of Arts

First Advisor

David J Hebert

Abstract

The purpose of this research study was to investigate the relationship between traditional gender socialization and self-concept during adolescence, in the domains of athletic competence, physical appearance, social competence, and close friendship.

The sample used in the study consisted of 33 eighth graders, of which 19 were female and 14 were male. Participants completed an instrument developed by the researcher to measure level of gender socialization, along with Harter's (1988) Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (SPPA) to measure self-concept in the above-referenced domains.

The Mann-Whitney U-Test was used to test distributions of means. Results were not statistically significant and therefore failed to reject the null hypotheses. Still, gender differences were reported which reflect some of the current research. Future research should consider further the relationship between gender socialization, traditional and nontraditional alike, and self-concept in adolescents.

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