Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (Piers-Harris 2)

This updated Second Edition of the Piers- Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale, one of the most widely used measures of psychological health in children and adolescents, quickly identifies those who need further testing or treatment. The Piers-Harris 2 provides a complete picture of self-concept using a simple yes-or-no response format.

 

Based on the child’s own perceptions, the Piers-Harris 2 assesses self-concept in individuals ages 7 to 18. It is composed of 60 items covering six subscales (Physical Appearance and Attributes, Intellectual and School Status, Happiness and Satisfaction, Freedom From Anxiety, Behavioral Adjustment, and Popularity). In addition, two validity scales identify biased responding and the tendency to answer randomly.

 

The Piers-Harris 2 provides a Total Score that reflects overall self-concept, plus subscale scores that permit more detailed interpretation. Nationally representative norms are based on a sample of nearly 1,400 students.

 

The Piers-Harris 2 is widely used in both schools and clinics. It is often administered as routine classroom screening, to identify children who might benefit from further evaluation. And it is commonly used in clinical settings to determine specific areas of conflict, typical coping and defense mechanisms, and appropriate intervention techniques. It is an ideal choice when you need a quick but comprehensive measure of self-concept in children or adolescents.