THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-ESTEEM AND PSYCHOLOGICAL
This research critiques the article "The relationship between self-esteem and psychological adjustment in young adolescents" (Schweitzer, Seth-Smith, & Callan, 1992, pp. 83-97). The article is critiqued in relation to the study reported in the article. The critique focuses on (1) survey quality, (2) population, (3) sample, (4) hypothesis formation, and results evaluation.
The survey relied on the use of two standardized instruments. The first instrument was the Self-Description Questionnaire. This instrument is multi-dimensional in character and self-concept in orientation. The instrument is designed for self-administration by young adolescents. The term young adolescent is defined as 11-to-18 years old; therefore, in reality the instrument is designed for self administration by all adolescents. Prior research has found the Self-Description Questionnaire to be a reliable self-concept instrument. This instrument was completed by the adolescent subjects participating in the survey.
The second instrument used in the survey was the Child Behavior Checklist. This instrument requires parents of adolescent subjects to assess the problem behavior and social competence of their four-to-16 years old children. Prior research has determined that clinical evaluations of problem behavior and social competence in children correspond closely with parental assessments rendered through completion of the Child Behavior Checklist. This instrument was completed by the mothers of the adolescents participating in the survey. All adolescent subjects and the mothers of all participating subjects were assured that the confidentiality of their responses would be preserved.
Both clinical and control groups were included in the research sample. Subjects included in the clinical group were selected
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