Brief Description

The Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (SPPA-45) is a self-report questionnaire consisting of 45 statements organized into six distinct domains of adolescent self-perception: scholastic competence, physical appearance, social acceptance, athletic competence, job competence, and close friendships. Each item presents two contrasting statements, and adolescents are asked to choose the one that best reflects how they see themselves.

Purpose

The SPPA-45 is designed to assess how adolescents perceive themselves in various areas of daily life, including academic, social, physical, and interpersonal domains. This evaluation allows insight into their self-image and provides a basis for identifying strengths and areas needing support.

Scoring Method

Responses are scored on a four-point scale without a neutral midpoint, encouraging participants to take a definitive stance. First, adolescents choose which of two statements best describes them, then indicate whether that statement is “really true” or “sort of true” for them. Scores range from 1 to 4, with higher scores indicating higher self-perception in the respective domain.

Validity

The scale shows strong conceptual validity, supported by both theoretical and empirical evidence. Comparative analyses with other psychometric tools indicate strong correlations with related constructs. The Greek adaptation of the SPPA-45 has been culturally validated and successfully applied in various populations.

Reliability

Internal consistency coefficients (Cronbach’s alpha) for the original subscales range from 0.63 to 0.85. For the Greek version, alpha values ranged from 0.90 to 0.94 across subscales, demonstrating excellent internal reliability and consistent measurement.

Data Analysis and Use

Results are analyzed by calculating the mean score for each of the six subscales. These scores can be used in research, educational, or counseling contexts to identify areas where adolescents experience either high or low self-perception. The findings can guide the development of targeted interventions to improve self-image and support adolescent self-esteem.

References

Harter, S. (1988). Manual for the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents. Denver, CO: University of Denver Press.
Harter, S. (1999). The Construction of the Self: Developmental and Sociocultural Foundations. New York: Guilford Press.
Tzeli, G. (2001). Adolescent self-perception: Regression in school-age years. Doctoral dissertation, University of Patras.
Tzeli, G., & Papanoutsou, E. (2003). Self-perception and academic performance in adolescents: The Greek context. Metochos, 6, 127–136.