In our study we have analyzed the written self-characterizations of
three different groups (Hungarian students from Transylvania,
Romanian students from Transylvania and Hungarian students from
Hungary). Our goal was to compare the self-image of students from
different groups. In our study, we would like to find information about
the self-image and body image of adolescents who belong to minority
groups, about the self image and body image of adolescents who
belong majority groups, and whether there are differences between
the self-image of majority adolescents compared to the self-image of
minority adolescents. There were written self-characterizations
prepared by fifth and eighth grade students of primary schools. We
have studied the written compositions by means of content analysis
and looked for the differences between the various categories and the
frequency of self-image components in the different groups. By
examining the subcategories of the two main category systems - the
Physical Self and the Psychological Self - of the current self-image we
can get an exact picture of the adolescents’ current self-image and its
characteristics. The study of the self-image and implicit identity of
minority students offers useful information to parents, teachers and
school counselors, as well. The 2005-2006 study outlined important
teaching and educational objectives. The results of the current
research point out other particular objectives in minority education.