Which statement about self-esteem during adolescence is true?

• A. Self-esteem remains consistently high for most adolescents throughout the teenage years.
• B. Adolescents generally experience no changes in self-esteem compared to childhood.
• C. Self-esteem typically declines during early adolescence and may recover in later adolescence.
• D. Self-esteem is always lower in boys than in girls during adolescence.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of self-esteem: Self-esteem refers to an individual's overall sense of personal worth or value, which can fluctuate during different developmental stages.
2. Recognize that adolescence is a period of significant physical, emotional, and social changes, which can impact self-esteem levels.
3. Recall research findings indicating that self-esteem often declines during early adolescence due to challenges such as identity exploration, peer comparison, and increased self-consciousness.
4. Note that self-esteem may improve or recover in later adolescence as individuals develop a stronger sense of identity and coping skills.
5. Evaluate each statement based on these developmental patterns to identify that the true statement is: 'Self-esteem typically declines during early adolescence and may recover in later adolescence.'