Self-discrepancy and Depressive Experiences among Chinese Early Adolescents: Significance of Identity and the Undesired Self

The paper addresses the cultural bias in the conceptualization and assessment of the self construct inherent in self-discrepancy theory proposed by Higgins. It argues that discrepancies between actual and undesired selves conceived in terms of salient identity should be better predictors of depressive experiences among Chinese early adolescents than the popular notion of actual:ideal discrepancies conceived in terms of individuated self. Eighty-four Chinese early adolescents drawn from the normal population in Hong Kong participated in the study, adopting a short-term two-wave prospective design. Empirical support was obtained showing that self-discrepancies conceived in terms of salient identity and discrepancies between actual and undesired selves were stronger predictors of depressive experiences over time. The findings were interpreted from the perspectives of Chinese culture and the development of self understanding.