Abstract:
This paper reports on a study conducted with 269 primary school children in grades 3 to 7. These children completed self-report questionnaires measuring (1) the frequency of positive and negative statements made by mother, father, teacher, and peers, (2) positive and negative self-talk, (3) academic self-concepts, (4) social relations self-concepts, and (5) self-esteem. Class teachers also completed the Behavioural Indicators of Self-Esteem (BIOS) scale for each child. Structural equation modelling was used to describe the relationships between these variables and the results will be presented.