The gender self-concept profiles of 128 adolescents (107 males) whose persistent behaviour
problems led to suspension from school were investigated. Establishing the students'
percentile ratings in the 11 subscales of the Self-Description Questionnaire overcame
previous methodological weaknesses. For boys and girls Physical Appearance, Opposite-sex
Relationships, and Honesty and Trustworthiness were in the average range, but Parent
Relationships, General Self, and General School self-concepts were low. Only girls were low
for Same-sex Relationships and Emotional Stability. The profiles suggest that boys'
antisocial behaviours are associated with striving for a masculine self-image, but girls'
antisocial behaviours are associated with greater social marginalisation. The issues of multi-focused interventions, prosocial role models, the particular needs of girls, and the
relationship between self-control, self-enhancement, and reputation enhancement theories
are discussed.