Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale

Use the Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale to gauge how children, adolescents, and teenagers perceive themselves.

By Matt Olivares on Aug 2, 2025.

Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.

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What is the Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale?

The Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale is an insightful assessment developed by Ellen V. Piers and Dale B. Harris. The second edition, which we will focus on, also benefited from contributions by David S. Herzberg.

This scale consists of sixty statements exploring a child's perception of themselves and how others perceive them. It aims to provide professionals such as therapists and counselors with insights into how children perceive themselves and whether these self-perceptions harm their overall mental well-being.

Please note that the must be purchased in order to be used. This guide will simply offer an overview of what the scale entails, how it is completed, and how it is scored. Please obtain an official version if you require the scale for assessing the children you work with.

Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale Template

Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale PDF Template

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How to use the Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale:

The Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale is one of the easiest assessments to administer. There are two ways you can go about it:

You can simply hand a copy of the scale to the child and have them answer it independently.

Or, you can conduct it like an interview. Make sure to introduce the scale to your patient, what’s it for, and then tell them to answer each item you say out loud. This will make accomplishing the scale takes longer than it normally would, but you have the chance to ask the child to explain. Don’t force them, though. They might be too young to properly articulate how they feel.

Either way, the kid answering needs to answer with a YES or NO. Here are some of the items that need to be answered:

My classmates make fun of me.
I’m a happy person.
It is hard for me to make friends.
I am often sad.
I am smart.
I am shy.
I get nervous when the teacher calls me.
My looks bother me.
I am unpopular.

Each item has a score, depending on how the question is framed (positive or negative) and what the kid’s answer is for each.

You will have to calculate several scores. You need to calculate the total score alongside the following:

Behavioral Adjustment (BEH)
Intellectual and School Status (INT)
Physical Appearance and Attributes (PHY)
Freedom from Anxiety (FRE)
Popularity (POP)
Happiness and Satisfaction (HAP)

To determine the total score, it is necessary to calculate the entire scale. However, when it comes to the six subscales, you only need to sum up the scores for the corresponding items within each subscale. To identify which items belong to each subscale and which answers carry a score of 1 point per item, I recommend obtaining the official Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale. This will provide comprehensive guidance and ensure accurate assessment.

Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale:

Now that you know the basic gist of what the Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept is for, what examples of items need to be answered, how it is answered, and what you need to calculate after receiving a fully-accomplished copy, it’s time for you to see what the scale generally looks like. Do remember that what you will see here is for educational purposes only.

If you like what you see and believe that the Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale will benefit your work, please purchase an official copy of the scale from an official provider/distributor.

Download this Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale Example:

When is it best to use the Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale?

The best time to use this would be when you are attending to a young patient or client who is grappling with mental well-being challenges such as self-esteem issues, bullying, familial or academic problems, and more. Before providing them with the scale, it is imperative to follow these steps:

When dealing with a child struggling with self-esteem due to bullying, it is crucial to establish a safe environment where they feel secure and free from judgment.

You also need to get them to trust you and establish rapport with them so they are more willing to talk about their woes.

After completing the previous steps, introduce the desired assessments, such as the Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale. You can have the children complete the scale independently or conduct it as an interview. Additionally, it is advisable to utilize other assessment scales in case the child being evaluated exhibits symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns.

What are the benefits of using the Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale?

It can help therapists and counselors understand the kids they’re handling.

The Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale comprehensively assesses various aspects of a child’s life, including their perceived strengths, social feedback, anxieties, familial relationships, friendships, and attitudes towards school. This comprehensive coverage equips professionals to identify critical areas of concern effectively.

It can help therapists and counselors determine what to do for the child.

Once therapists and counselors have calculated the overall and subscale scores, they can develop tailored plans for the children they work with, targeting specific areas of concern. These plans may involve implementing interventions to address issues such as bullying, utilizing various therapeutic approaches to enhance self-esteem and confidence, and reshaping negative self-perceptions and self-deprecating thoughts.

It can be used to monitor the mental well-being of children over time.

Monitoring the mental well-being of children over time is crucial. Administering the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale during routine check-ups can provide valuable insights. If the scores indicate a more positive self-concept, it's a clear indication the care plan is effective. Modifications may be necessary to achieve desired outcomes.