Exploring the Dimensions of Self-Concept in Adolescents from Marginalized Communities

Selva Turan; Mehdi Rostami; Valerie Karstensen; Amna Arif

doi:10.61838/kman.jarac.7.3.19

Authors

Selva Turan Necmettin Erbakan University, Ahmet Keleşoğlu Faculty of Education, Konya, Türkiye

Mehdi Rostami * Department of Psychology and Counseling, KMAN Research Institute, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada mehdirostami@kmanresce.ca

Valerie Karstensen Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark

Amna Arif Department of Education, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jarac.7.3.19

Keywords:

Adolescents, Self-concept, Marginalized communities, Identity development

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore the multidimensional nature of self-concept among adolescents living in marginalized communities, focusing on personal, social, and coping dimensions that shape identity development.

Methods and Materials: A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured interviews as the sole data collection method. Twenty-one adolescents aged 13 to 18 years from marginalized communities in Turkey were purposively selected to provide diverse perspectives. Interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached, ensuring comprehensive exploration of emerging themes. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis with the aid of NVivo 14 software. Rigorous procedures, including iterative coding, peer debriefing, and continuous comparison, were applied to ensure credibility and trustworthiness of the findings.

Findings: Three overarching categories of self-concept emerged: personal identity, social identity, and coping and resilience. Personal identity encompassed subthemes such as self-image, self-esteem, emotional awareness, autonomy, future aspirations, and self-reflection. Social identity included peer relationships, family roles, community belonging, cultural identity, social comparison, stigma and discrimination, and gender roles. Coping and resilience involved coping with marginalization, sources of support, coping strategies, resilience building, and identity negotiation. Participants described vulnerabilities including low self-esteem, stigma, and tension between traditional and modern cultural norms, alongside strengths such as supportive relationships, community pride, and resilience strategies. Illustrative quotations highlighted adolescents’ lived experiences and strategies for negotiating complex identities.

Conclusion: The study underscores the multifaceted and context-dependent nature of adolescent self-concept, shaped by family, peers, community, culture, and broader structural realities. Despite significant challenges, adolescents demonstrated resilience and agency in redefining self-worth and negotiating cultural boundaries. These findings highlight the need for supportive interventions in schools, families, and communities that address both vulnerabilities and strengths, empowering adolescents in marginalized settings to construct positive self-concepts.

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