Issue date:
May 1-3, 1998
Teens & Self-Image: Survey results
SA WEEKEND's 11th Annual Special Teen Report, on Teens & Self-Image, must have struck a chord. A record 272,400 students in grades 6-12 took the survey when it appeared last fall in the magazine, at our Web site and through Channel One, our partner in the survey.
The Teens & Self-Image survey represents one of the largest ever taken of American youth. Though non-scientific, the results reflect the views of a wide swath of teenagers from every corner of the nation.
This page shows how students rated themselves on a range of issues, from their health, looks and smarts to their relationship with their parents, their friends and their faith.
To those students who participated, we thank you for your interest and invite you to participate in our 12th Annual Teen Survey this fall.
1. In general, how do you feel about yourself?
| 49% | Really good |
| 44% | Kind of good |
| 6% | Not very good |
| 1% | Bad |
2. Which things do you MOST admire in others your age and which do you think describe you?
| I admire | I am |
| Honest | 60% |
75%
|
| Good sense of humor | 59% |
69%
|
| Smart | 56% | 66%
|
| Self-confident | 53% |
65%
|
| Kind | 53% |
78%
|
| Good at sports | 52%
| 53%
|
| Attractive | 52%
| 40%
|
| Creative | 50% |
63%
|
| Not influenced by others | 49% |
53%
|
| Popular | 40% |
32%
|
| Rich | 35% |
10%
|
| Tough | 31% |
40%
|
3. Do you consider yourself healthy?
4. How satisfied are you with your looks?
| 31% | Very |
| 63% | Somewhat |
| 6% | Not at all |
5. Which of the following would make you feel better about yourself?(Check all that apply.)
| 49% | Getting better grades |
| 38% | Bulking or toning up |
| 38% | Losing weight |
| 36% | Doing better in sports |
| 30% | Having a better relationship with my parents |
| 24% | Wearing cooler clothes |
| 16% | Fitting in with a certain crowd |
| 15% | Nothing; I like myself the way I am |
| 8% | Quitting smoking |
| 4% | Quitting drugs or alcohol |
6. Who understands you the most?
| 42% | Friend |
| 28% | Parent |
| 10% | Boyfriend/girlfriend |
| 8% | No one |
| 5% | Sibling |
| 1% | Religious leader |
| 1% | Teacher |
| 0% | Coach |
| 5% | Other |
7. How pressured do you feel to do the following?
| Very | Somewhat | Not at all |
| Drink alcohol | 7%
| 16% |
77% |
| Smoke | 8%
| 15%
| 77% |
| Take illegal drugs | 7%
| 9%
| 84% |
| Have sex | 9%
| 19%
| 72% |
| Look a certain way | 16%
| 39%
| 45% |
| Have a boyfriend/girlfriend | 16%
| 36%
| 48% |
8. How much influence does each of the following have on your life?
| A lot | Some | None |
| Parents | 70%
| 26%
| 4% |
| Girlfriend/boyfriend | 24%
| 39%
| 37% |
| Teacher | 25%
| 55%
| 20% |
| Religion | 34%
| 36%
| 30% |
| Advertising | 4%
| 32%
| 64% |
| TV shows | 8%
| 36%
| 56% |
| Other kids | 21%
| 57%
| 22% |
| Celebrities (like stars, athletes, musicians) | 21%
| 42%
| 37% |
9. How important are looks when it comes to:
| Very | Somewhat | Not at all |
| Making friends | 20%
| 47%
| 33% |
| Succeeding in life | 24%
| 41%
| 35% |
| Being respected | 29%
| 38%
| 33% |
10. Do you have an adult you can confide in, in or outside your family?
| 80% | Yes |
| 11% | No |
| 9% | No, but I wish I did |
11. Do you think adults generally value your opinion?
12. When was the last time an adult, such as a parent or teacher, said something encouraging or supportive to you?
| 37% | Today |
| 38% | In the past week |
| 7% | More than a week ago |
| 18% | Can't remember |
13. About how often do you have a conversation with one of your parents that lasts longer than 15 minutes?
| 32% | Every day |
| 34% | A few times a week |
| 17% | A few times a month |
| 17% | Almost never |
14. How does your race or ethnicity affect the way you feel about yourself?
| 25% | Positively |
| 4% | Negatively |
| 71% | It doesn't make a difference |
15. Two million teens suffer from severe depression, according to one estimate. Do you ever feel really depressed?
| 16% | Yes, often |
| 55% | Occasionally |
| 29% | No, never |
16. Have you ever visited a mental health counselor?
| 7% | Yes, voluntarily |
| 8% | Yes, but didn't want to |
| 77% | No, I haven't needed to |
| 8% | No, but I'd like to |
17. Have any of your friends ever tried to commit suicide, or discussed it?
18. Have you ever taken prescribed anti-depressant drugs?
19. Which of the following after-school activities are you involved in? (Check all that apply.)
| 51% | Sports |
| 26% | Extracurricular classes, such as art or music |
| 22% | A youth group, such as Scouts or a community group |
| 20% | Work at a part-time job |
| 17% | Volunteer work |
| 23% | I have no after-school activity |
THE NATIONAL RESPONDENTS:
Were:
Lived with:
| 62% | Both parents |
| 15% | Mother |
| 4% | Father |
| 15% | Parent and stepparent |
| 4% | Other |
Were in grade:
| 9% | Six |
| 17% | Seven |
| 21% | Eight |
| 16% | Nine |
| 14% | Ten |
| 12% | Eleven |
| 11% | Twelve |
Considered themselves:
| 72% | White |
| 10% | Black |
| 8% | Hispanic |
| 3% | Asian |
| 1% | Native American |
| 3% | Other |
| 3% | Multiracial |
Results roundup: