Citation
Yarnell, Lisa M. & Falbo, Toni (2010). The influence of accuracy in self-knowledge on educational and health outcomes. 2010 Add Health Users Conference. Bethesda, MD.Abstract
The purpose of our research is to determine if accuracy in self-knowledge affects health and educational outcomes. Using Wave III data, we developed an index of accuracy, which compared self-views of intelligence to actual performance on tests of intelligence. We found that 22% had perfectly accurate self-knowledge, 19% slightly underestimated, and 29% strongly overestimated their intelligence. We also found that the best-educated mothers had children with the most accurate self-knowledge, while the least educated mothers had children with the largest overestimation. We found that those who were perfectly accurate or slightly underestimating reported the best health, while those who greatly overestimated reported the worst health and the greatest depression at Wave IV. The highest educational attainment was found among those who slightly underestimated their intelligence, while those who strongly overestimated had the lowest educational attainment to date at Wave IV. These results support predictions based on the value of accurate self-knowledge. In the near future we plan to examine whether accuracy in self-knowledge influences the prevalence of obesity and overweight status at Wave IV.URL
https://addhealth.cpc.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/docs/news/FINAL%202010%20Add%20Health%20Users%20Conference%20Abstracts.pdfReference Type
Conference proceedingBook Title
2010 Add Health Users ConferenceAuthor(s)
Yarnell, Lisa M.Falbo, Toni