Development of a questionnaire on young adults' self-concept

Based upon the SDQ (Self Description Questionnaire) III (Marsh, 1992) we developed a German inventory to measure 16 facets of self-concept. Each scale contains 4 items. The instrument was tested in three samples of n = 367 participants and then administered to a sample of n = 4,709 young adults. The scales showed satisfactory reliabilities, with Cronbach's a ranging from .62 to .94 (M = .80). Factor analyses provided support for the predicted structure of the scales. Retest reliabilities after 6-8 weeks ranged from .68 to .91. Significant correlations between the scales and external criteria, such as grades in mathematics, German and English, vocational interests and the choice of university subjects, provided evidence for the validity of the instrument.