Perceived domain-specific competence and global self-worth of primary students in Hong Kong

Self-evaluations on five specific domains of competence or adequacies and on global self-worth were assessed in a sample of 151 Hong Kong Chinese boys and girls (grade 3 to 6) using the Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC). Although self-perceptions on the five domains of Scholastic Competence, Social Acceptance, Athletic Competence, Physical Appearance, and Behavioural Conduct could be regarded as articulated and differentiated, these domains did not emerge as independent dimensions of self-evaluations. Hong Kong Chinese children appeared to associate school performance with behavioural conduct, and athletic prowess with physical appearance. Evaluation of the indexes representing the manner in which different specific domains of competence were integrated into global self-worth suggested that the independent assessment of global self-esteem was justified. The use of the SPPC with Chinese children and cross-cultural comparisons are discussed.