Self construction and interpersonal distances of juveniles living in residential communities

Within the framework of constructivism and more specifically personal construct psychology, the current research aims at exploring self construction and interpersonal relationships of juveniles living in residential communities. It proposes a method of doing it which is coherent with the framework adopted. Repertory grids were used with 59 youths aged between 9 and 20 years and 176 significant others (father, mother, a houseparent, and a teacher or an employer) and interpersonal distances were measured. Identification with others and an authority, perceived change, self and social acceptance, social negativity, self-fulfilment, commonality and sociality led to the discrimination of different profiles which indicate different (inter)personal configurations.