Self-concept in Mexican American girls and boys: validating the Self-Description Questionnaire-I

Abstract

This study examined the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Self-Description Questionnaire-I (SDQ-I) in a sample of Mexican American children. Findings provide support for both the classic multidimensional and hierarchical SDQ factor structure and a nonhierarchical model that incorporates a dimension not included in the classic model (i.e., General-Self, a global measure of self-concept). Results of a multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis demonstrate the nonhierarchical model's overall invariance across gender. Gender differences were found, however, on mean SDQ-I subscale scores: Boys reported higher self-concept than girls on the Physical Abilities and Physical Appearance subscales, but girls had higher self-concept than boys on the Reading subscale.