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SELF-CONCEPTS IN ADOLESCENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM CONDITIONS AND WILLIAMS SYNDROME

Tucker, Helena

[Thesis]. Manchester, UK: The University of Manchester; 2012.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Self-concept, defined as a set of self-attitudes that describe behaviour and characteristics of self (Piers, 1994), is of central importance in one’s psychological functioning and fundamental to psychological well-being. The present study explored self-concepts in adolescents with autism spectrum conditions and Williams syndrome, conditions that present with distinct social phenotypes. The aim was to investigate whether perceptions of self differ in the two conditions and whether awareness and attitude to condition is related to self-image and/or self-esteem.METHOD: The Self-Image Profile for Adolescents (Butler, 2001), interviews and standardised tests were used to explore self-concepts and awareness of condition in 16 adolescents with ASC and 18 adolescents with WS.RESULTS: No significant differences were found on positive and negative self-image, sense of difference and self-esteem between the two groups, however results suggest trends of more positive construing of self in adolescents with WS. No association was found between awareness and attitude to condition and self-image and/or self-esteem.CONCLUSIONS: A likely positive social reaction towards individuals with WS coupled with positive social bias may be attributed to a more positive perception of self. The need for tailored interventions to promote positive self-concept was highlighted in the light of evidence that behavioural and emotional problems change with increasing age in the two conditions.