Physical self, emotional discomfort and adolescence

MELEDDU, MAURO;SCALAS, LAURA FRANCESCA

2000-01-01

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Abstract

Physical changes become particularly important during adolescence, and it is poss1ble to say that adolescents are schematic for physical self (Markus, 1977). Comparison with ideal and ought standards can lead to feelings of self discrepancies and to emotional discomfort (Higgins, 1987). The intensity of discomfort is expected to vary accordingto the magnitude and accessibity of the discrepancy, as well as subjects's sex and age. The present study examines the relationship among physical self-schemas, discrepancy and emotional discomfon in a group of 170 adolescents (males and females) aged 12-15.