An Integrative Conceptual Model of Adolescent Self-Concept Development in Malaysian Boarding Schools

Adolescence represents a critical developmental stage in which individuals construct a coherent and stable sense of self through continuous interaction with their social environment. In structured educational settings such as Malaysian boarding schools (Maktab Rendah Sains MARA, MRSM), adolescents are exposed to intensive academic and social demands that may significantly shape their self-concept development. Despite extensive empirical attention to adolescent development, existing studies remain fragmented, often examining parenting style, peer relationships and teacher support in isolation rather than within an integrated framework. This article proposes an integrative conceptual model of adolescent self-concept development within the MRSM context, grounded in a synthesis of quantitative and qualitative findings from a mixed-method study. The model conceptualizes self-concept as a psychological structure that develops through a meaning-making process, where adolescents interpret and integrate social experiences derived from three primary social ecosystems: family, peers, and teachers. These interactions contribute to the development of key psychological attributes, including self-confidence, emotional regulation, coping strategies and identity awareness. Importantly, the model introduces school counseling services as a systemic support mechanism that regulates and strengthens this developmental process through structured intervention, guidance and reflective support. By positioning counseling as a regulatory layer within the broader educational ecosystem, the model extends existing literature beyond fragmented perspectives and offers a more comprehensive understanding of adolescent development in residential school environments. The proposed framework provides significant implications for educational practice and counseling interventions aimed at promoting adolescents’ psychological well-being and self-concept development.

Adolescent self-concept, parenting style, peer attachment, teacher support, school counseling

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