Correlations between self-concepts and behavior problems among children and adolescents in Gansu province

ObjectiveTo explore the correlations between self-concepts and behavior problems among children and adolescents.MethodsTotally 5 435 students aged 8-16 years were selected from Gansu province.Child Behaviour Checklist(CBCL)and Children's Self-Concept Scale were used to evaluate behavior problems and self-concepts among the students.ResultsAmong the students with behavior problems,46.3%-63.4% reported negative self-concepts.There were significant negative correlations between self-concepts and behavior problems,with the correlation coefficients of -0.060-0.317 for the studtens of 8-11 years old and -0.050-0.372 for the studnets of 12-16 years old (P<0.05 for all).The correlation coefficients between self-concept anxiety,gregariousness,behavior factors and behavior problems were all lower than -0.3 for the students of 12-16 years old(P<0.01 for all).ConclusionAfter entering pubertal period,the self-concepts of students are more objective and could be used to measure mental and behavior problems.