How Do Adolescents Acquire Self-Esteem And A Positive Self-Image  Essay

Adolescent Self-Esteem How do adolescents build self-concept and identity?

During the adolescent period in an individual's life, he/she is in a constant search for identity, according to Professor David D. Witt, University of Akron. The formation of one's identity is the "main development task in adolescence," and the importance of developing a positive self-image in adolescence is that it is "the single motivating force in life" (Witt, 2008). Self-image is what makes an adolescent either passive, or active, and whether an adolescent achieves an active personality depends on intelligence, experiences, and "…the quality of [the adolescent's] social network (Witt, p. 2).

The reality vis-a-vis adolescence is that it is a "major drama" that plays out "on center stage" -- and is, objectively speaking, a "fascinating transitional period" that features the development of new cognitive competencies and emerging societal "expectations" (Witt, p. 2) But on the other hand, how does an adolescent build a positive self-concept and a positive identity, since every person has an idealized self and an actual self -- and the "disparity" between the two, Witt explains, can end up being confusing...

...

3).
As to how to build up self-esteem: In the Journal of Adolescent Health (Huang, et al., 2007) the authors assert that body image has a powerful influence on "…self-perceptions and self-attitudes," and is directly linked to "self-esteem, interpersonal confidence," behaviors related to food intake and exercise, along with sexual-related activities and "emotional stability." Understanding how adolescents respond to their body shape is important because when adolescents are dissatisfied with their body weight and the shape of their bodies, it can lead to "…a plethora of psychological ills from eating disorders to major depression" (Huang, 246).

Hence, one pivotal way to build self-esteem for adolescents is to maintain proper weight through healthy eating and exercise. In a study of 657…

Sources Used in Documents:

Works Cited

Brinthaupt, T.M., and Lipka, R.P. (2002). Understanding Early Adolescent Self and Identity:

Applications and Interventions. Albany, NY: SUNY Press.

Huang, J.S., Norman, G.J., Zabinski, M.F., Calfas, K., and Patrick, K. (2007). Body Image and Self-Esteem among Adolescents undergoing an Intervention Targeting Dietary and Physical

Activity. Journal of Adolescent Health, 40(3), 245-251.
Witt, D.D. (2008). Notes for Emotional Development, the Self and Identity. University of Akron / Family Development. Retrieved March 22, 2014, from http://www3.uakron.edu.


Cite this Document:

"How Do Adolescents Acquire Self-Esteem And A Positive Self-Image " (2014, March 22) Retrieved April 23, 2024, from
https://www.paperdue.com/essay/how-do-adolescents-acquire-self-esteem-and-185711

"How Do Adolescents Acquire Self-Esteem And A Positive Self-Image " 22 March 2014. Web.23 April. 2024. <
https://www.paperdue.com/essay/how-do-adolescents-acquire-self-esteem-and-185711>

"How Do Adolescents Acquire Self-Esteem And A Positive Self-Image ", 22 March 2014, Accessed.23 April. 2024,
https://www.paperdue.com/essay/how-do-adolescents-acquire-self-esteem-and-185711

Related Documents

The key years during which experimentation occurs - between 13 and 16. Kobus discusses influences that launch an adolescent's smoking habit from several perspectives. First, the "social learning theory": relationships that are "more intimate" and that are developed "earlier in the youth's experiences" and thought to be more important; and youths are more likely to "imitate the smoking habits" (or non-smoking habits) of those with whom they have the closes

Adolescent Substance Use Screening Instruments: 10-Year Critical Review of the Research Literature Over ten million teenagers in the United States admit in a national survey that they drink alcohol, although it is illegal under the age of 21 in all states. In some studies, nearly one-quarter of school-age children both smoked cigarettes and drank alcohol. Over four thousand adolescents every day try marijuana for the first time. The dangers of use,

Studying a sample of 153 top commercial Web sites directed at children under 13, the CME found that COPPA has spurred changes in Web sites' data collection practices. Web sites had limited the amount and type of information (e.g., name, postal address, phone number, age) collected from children, and there was a three-fold increase in the posting of privacy policy information explaining sites' data collection practices. A few sites

Self-Reflection Life development There has been a lot of focus put on the concept of life and the growth process, the development of the human mind and even the behaviors displayed as one grows and the changing patterns of the behaviors of the individual. Scholars have come up with varied explanations on what shapes behavior of people with some going for the physical contact and the physical world, while others going for

Self-Esteem Exercise promotes higher self-esteem in individuals of all ages and/or physical capabilities as long as the individual enjoys the particular exercise program or feels there are definite and measurable benefit to participating in the program. Professional athletes are some of the most self assured individuals in our society. There have been many studies that have shown that these individuals are highly paid yet the majority of them would continue to

Self-Efficacy: A Definition Social Cognitive Theory Triangulation Data analysis Teacher Self-Efficacy Problems for the researcher Data Analysis and Related Literature review. Baseline Group Gender Deviation Age Deviation Comparison of data with other literature in the field. Everyday Integration Efficacy, Self-esteem, Confidence and Experience Barriers to use Integration paradigm. Co-oping and Project design. Organizational Climate Teacher Integration Education. Meta-evaluation of data and related literature. Data Analysis and Comparison Recommendation for Further Research Data Review Report Teacher efficacy in the classroom is facilitated by a number of different factors for different professions. However,