TY - JOUR PY - 2016// TI - Grade-level differences in future-oriented self-concept during early adolescence: potential relevance to school nursing JO - Journal of school nursing A1 - Stoddard, Sarah A. A1 - Pierce, Jennifer A1 - Schmidt, Carissa J. SP - 390 EP - 396 VL - 32 IS - 6 N2 - The middle school and early high school years are a time of significant development, including an increasing ability to envision oneself in the future. Little is known about how adolescents' future-oriented self-concept (i.e., possible selves) differs across grade levels, although this knowledge may aid in establishing rapport with students and building effective health promotion and risk reduction interventions. Therefore, this study explored grade-level differences in hoped for and feared possible selves in a sample of sixth- to ninth-grade students (n = 2,498; M age = 12.72, SD = 1.15; 51.3% female).

FINDINGS suggest that adolescents list a variety of possible selves, and the content differs according to grade level. These findings offer helpful insight for intervention work aimed at improving student outcomes and preventing risk behavior. Understanding what adolescents hope and fear for themselves in the future may be particularly beneficial for school nurses in identifying the unique challenges students experience and tailoring health promotion efforts.

© The Author(s) 2016.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1059-8405 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1059840516649236 ID - ref1 ER -