This article addresses the issue of adolescents’ self-concept consistency vs. inconsistency (as measured by Structural Analysis of Social Behavior, SASB; Benjamin 1974; 1994). Results from three quantitative studies show that self- concept consistency is lower among adolescents (16-20 years) in comparison to adults, that approximately 15-25% of the adolescents have an inconsistent self-concept, and that inconsistency is more common among adolescent girls than among boys. In addition, inconsistency was significantly related to a number of negative factors (e.g., suicide attempts and low satisfaction with the self). Furthermore, data from a single case study show that transitions from self-concept inconsistency to consistency are possible, and that the change of quality of interpersonal relationships may be an important factor in such a transition. Finally, this case study indicated that self-concept consistency may be more important than necessarily having a self-concept characterized by self-love in relation to quality of life.
