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Construct Validity of the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire and Its Relationship with Self-Esteem, Depression, and Ego Development

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Abstract

Construct validity of the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ) was studied in a sample of 194 normal Finnish adolescents from 14 to 16 years of age. Confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the hierarchical structure of adolescents’ self-image with 5 lower-order factors loading on a single higher-order factor. Lower-order factors were Personally Anxious Self, Social Relationships, Sexual Attitudes, Family Relationships, and Social Conscience. The relationships between the self-image areas of the OSIQ, global self-esteem, depression, and ego development were also examined. The results support the construct, convergent, and discriminant validity of the presented structure of the OSIQ.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Helsinki, P. O. Box 9, FIN-00014, Finland

    Kaj Lindfors (Doctoral student)

  2. National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health, Finland

    Marko Elovainio (Research Manager)

  3. Save the Children, Helsinki

    Jari Sinkkonen (Consultant psychiatrist)

  4. University of Helsinki, Finland

    Veikko Aalberg (Associate professor of adolescent psychiatry)

  5. Department of Psychology, University of Helsinki, Finland

    Risto Vuorinen (Professor)

Authors
  1. Kaj Lindfors
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  2. Marko Elovainio
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  3. Jari Sinkkonen
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  4. Veikko Aalberg
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  5. Risto Vuorinen
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Correspondence to Kaj Lindfors.

Additional information

He received M.A. from University of Helsinki. Major research interest concern adolescent psychological development

He received Ph.D. from University of Helsinki. Major research interests include psychosocial health risks and organizational behavior.

He received M.D. from Lausanne University and Ph.D. from Helsinki University. Major research interests include attachment issues, fatherhood, and foster parenting.

He received his Ph.D. in psychiatry from the University of Helsinki. Major research interests are developmental theory of adolescence and personality development of adolescents in chronic illness.

He received Ph.D. from University of Cambridge. Major research interests concern personality and developmental psychology.

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Lindfors, K., Elovainio, M., Sinkkonen, J. et al. Construct Validity of the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire and Its Relationship with Self-Esteem, Depression, and Ego Development. J Youth Adolescence 34, 389–400 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-005-5769-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-005-5769-y

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