A comparison of different aspects of self-concept for young, middle-aged, and older women

Abstract

Previous research that focused on self-esteem in adult women has yielded a variety of contradictory results, with some studies that report more positive self-concepts in the middle-aged in comparison to older and younger women and others that report the opposite. Similar conflicting findings have been presented for women over 60. This study compared women in four age groups: 18 to 22, 29 to 39, 40 to 55, and 60 to 75 on the Tennessee Self Concept Scale, which yields self-esteem scores on different life aspects such as family relations, morality, and physical self as well as a general self-esteem measure. The age groups did not differ significantly in overall level of self-esteem, but they could be discriminated on the more specific aspects of self-concept; the 40- to 55-year-olds reported more positive feelings about themselves in their family relations and morality than did the 18 to 22 year olds. Women over 60, compared to the other age groups, showed more defensiveness and also gave responses more similar to a diagnosed psychotic group.