Self-Concept in Lebanese and Arab-American Pre-Adolescents

Abstract

The present study assessed self-concepts of 102 (35 boys, 67 girls) Arab-American pre-adolescents ( M age = 11.9 yr., SD = .8) and compared scores with those of 105 (43 boys, 62 girls) Arab national students ( M age = 12.3 yr., SD = .7) in Lebanon. The Arab-American students scored significantly higher than the group of Arab students in Lebanon on 6 of 8 subscales of Marsh's Self-description Questionnaire–I, suggesting overall higher self-concept on subscales for physical ability, physical appearance, peer relations, reading, general school, and general self-concept. The results are consistent with expectations associating biculturalism with high self-concept.