The Long and the Short of Physical Stature in Early Adolescence

Abstract

The relationship between early adolescent physical stature and competence perceptions was examined in the self-ratings and teacher ratings of short-and tall-for-age boys and girls in grades 6 and 7. Approximately one half of the sixth-graders were in their last year of elementary school; the other half, and all seventh-graders, were in secondary school. The ratings were obtained with companion scales, The Perceived Competence Scale for Children and The Teacher's Rating Scale of Child's Actual Competence, for cognitive, social, physical, and general competence. Physical stature effects were found in early adolescent self-ratings, in interaction with school context, but not in teacher ratings. The effects, which were stronger among girls than boys, were found in perceived social and general competence. The lowest self-ratings were those of tall girls in elementary school and short girls in secondary school. In contrast to previous research, the results of the present study suggest that self-perceptions may change with social contexts, but only longitudinal research can clarify whether these physical stature effects have consequences for self-perceptions beyond early adolescence. © 1986, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.