SPECIFIČNOSTI SLIKE O SEBI ADOLESCENATA NA SMEŠTAJU U USTANOVAMA SOCIJALNE ZAŠTITE
THE SPECIFICS OF THE SELF-IMAGE OF ADOLESCENTS FROM SOCIAL WELFARE INSTITUTIONS

Summary/Abstract: The self-image, as one of the most important psychological constructs, affects the overall development and behavior of an individual since early childhood. The formation of this unique psychological entity is determined by interactions with the significant other people, primarily parents, as primary socialization agent. Having in mind that adolescents from social welfare institutions mostly come from dysfunctional families, it is reasonable to assume that these children will demonstrate specific ways to create and develop their self-image.. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to examine the differences between adolescents from social welfare institutions and adolescents from the general population regarding their self-perception and self-evaluation. The sample consists of 45 adolescents frm the social welfare institutions and 327 adolescents from the general population, ages 12-18 years, both sexes. Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale was used for the assessment of self-concept (Piers-Harris & Herzberg, 2002). The results of this study have demonstarted that adolescents from social welfare instututions have lower scores on each subscale and a lower total score than their peers. Statistically significant differences were found on the scales that measure Behavioral Adjustment (t = 2,11; df = 370; p < 0,05) and Happiness and Satisfaction (t = 3,89; df = 370; p < 0,01), as well as Total Score (t = 2,802; df = 370; p < 0,05). The obtained findings imply the need for implementing additional programs and workshops in social welfare institutions, in order to improve the self-image.

• Details
• Contents