A canonical correlation analysis of the influence of social comparison, gender, and grade level on the multidimensional self-concepts of gifted adolescents

This study examines the effects of social comparison, gender, and grade level on gifted adolescents' multidimensional self-concept. Participants include 248 gifted adolescents who had completed the sixth through tenth grade during the previous academic year. Multidimensional self-concept was measured using the Self Description Questionnaire II (Marsh, Self description questionnaire (SDQ) II: manual, 1990) and social comparison levels were assessed through the use of the Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure (Gibbons and Buunk, J Pers Soc Psychol 76: 129-142, 1999). Results indicate that social comparison and grade level influence the emotional stability and physical attractiveness self-concepts. Gender influences the physical ability, emotional stability, verbal, and parent relations self-concepts. Conclusions and implications are discussed. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.