Selbstkonzeptimmunisierung im Jugendalter

Self-concept immunization denotes the adaptive up- and downgrading of the diagnostic value of particular skills for a general self-concept domain - according to the perceived levels of competence in these skills. Up to now theoretical attention was paid to the process within the field of life-span developmental psychology, especially within the context of older age. Within a series of empirical studies with participants from early adulthood to old age, its existence, specific mode of functioning and defensive functionality have been well documented in regards to the maintenance of a stable self, confronted with age(ing)-typical limitations and losses. The present study now introduces new areas of focus. First, an expansion of the age groups that were studied is intended to increase the understanding of the process and its development across wide parts of the lifespan. Second, the question will be addressed if self-concept immunization can adequately contribute to the complex task of identity construction in adolescence. For these purposes, three empirical studies are presented. Study 1 is a broad-based, correlative study, which will beyond testing hypotheses also pursue explorative issues. Adolescents and young adults within a large age spectrum (N = 200, 10-24 years, M = 16.81, SD = 3.27) were surveyed regarding a number of heterogeneous content areas (intelligence, athleticism, independence, courage, reliability, attractiveness). The focus was on the one hand on the development of self-concept immunization within the context of the developing self-concept structure and on the other hand on bivariate and moderating connections between self-concept immunization and self-esteem and measures of subjective well-being. Study 2 (N = 278, 11-24 years, M = 15.45, SD = 3.33) contains an experimental design. With the help of a research paradigm that was derived from “Terror Management Theory”, the indications of immunizing processes that were found correlatively in Study 1 are to be secured against alternative explanations. With the help of a longitudinal design, Study 3 will on the one hand illustrate the process of self-concept immunization and on the other hand study the functionality of immunizing processes within a natural setting. For this, children before (N = 291, 9-12 years, M = 10.02, SD = 0.59) and after (N = 449, 9-13 years, M = 10.57, SD = 0.65; longitudinal sample: N = 86, M (t1) = 10.05, SD (t1) = 0.61) their transition to secondary school will be surveyed in regards to the self-relevant issues of school achievement and popularity within the classroom setting. The results of all three studies can be integrated into three lines of results. (1) Adolescents do immunize their self-concepts. Beginning as early as late childhood, indications of immunizing processes can be found both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, and immunizing processes can be experimentally induced. However, no age-related change in the degree of immunization has been observed. (2) The immunization does not have a consistent effect on self-esteem and various measures of well-being. (3) Instead, there are indications of an identity-construction function of self-concept immunization: with the help of immunizing processes, the self-concept is more sharply contoured and the own strengths are emphasized. There is evidence that this goes hand in hand with an improvement of well-being. Concluding, the results are discussed within a wider theoretical context. Further research questions that are inspired by these results as well as possibilities to pursue them empirically are presented.