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Coordination difficulties and self‐esteem: A review and findings from a N ew Z ealand survey
Author(s) -
Eggleston Matthew,
Hanger Nicola,
Frampton Christopher,
Watkins William
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
australian occupational therapy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1440-1630
pISSN - 0045-0766
DOI - 10.1111/1440-1630.12007
Subject(s) - self esteem , psychology , competence (human resources) , popularity , affect (linguistics) , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , social psychology , communication
Aims Children and adolescents with significant coordination difficulties have consistently been found to have lower self‐esteem in relation to athletic competence and physical ability. However, findings in relation to global self‐esteem have been mixed. This study aimed to investigate the self‐esteem of children and adolescents with a diagnosis of dyspraxia in a large N ew Z ealand sample. Methods A confidential postal questionnaire was sent to all members of the D yspraxia S upport G roup of N ew Z ealand. Children and adolescents aged seven to 18 years with a diagnosis of dyspraxia were asked to complete the P iers– H arris C hildren's S elf‐ C oncept S cale 2nd edition ( PHCSCS ‐2), while parents were asked about a range of factors which might affect self‐esteem including possible coexisting conditions. Results There was a response rate of 20% with 75 valid responses. Coexisting conditions were common including 50.7% with a diagnosis of dyslexia or another learning disorder. Children and adolescents with dyspraxia scored significantly lower than PHCSCS ‐2 norms on the physical appearance and attributes, intellectual and school status and popularity subscales and also the PHCSCS ‐2 total score, indicating lower global self‐esteem. Conclusions This study strengthens the evidence that an association exists in children and adolescents between having significant coordination difficulties and lower global self‐esteem.