The Effects of Family Type Upon Self-Esteem in Adolescent Males

Abstract

The problem. This study examined the effects of family type upon self-esteem in adolescent males. In addition, the study examined male adolescents' activities, time spent with friends, parental punishment and how long these adolescents have been living in a stepfamily or mother-only family. Procedure. The sample consisted of 121 ma1e adolescents from intact families, 37 male adolescents from stepfather families and 59 male adolescents in mother-only families. Two instruments were used: (a) the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Test; {b) a general questionnaire consisting of 45 questions concerninq activities, time spent at home, kinds of punishment and who they were presently living with. Findings. An analysis of variance on the data obtained from the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Test indicated that there were no siqnificant differences in self-esteem of early adolescent males as a function of family type. There was a developmental difference on three of the subscales of the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale. Results of the activity questionnaire revealed younger males spending more time at home with mother, and older adolescents reported spending more time with friends. The 13- and 14-year olds reported mother punishing more frequently than the 11- and 12-year olds. Significant family type differences were found between the father-absent (mother-only) family and other family types in that adolescents in father-absent families reported more involvement in school extra-curricular activities and youth clubs, The other family type difference was adolescents of stepfather families reporting less frequently that best friends had met their mothers. Conclusion. The results of this study provide us with a somewhat more positive picture than previous studies on the problems in adolescent males due to family type. Recommendations. Stepfamilies, father-absent families and intact families should be extensively studied to detect differences in family types. Also, specific aae groups of family types should he investigated to find if differences are found in the aqe qroup or family.