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Self‐concept Changes During Orthodontic Treatment 1
Author(s) -
Korabik Karen
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.1994.tb02371.x
Subject(s) - psychology , self concept , longitudinal study , scale (ratio) , clinical psychology , physical therapy , developmental psychology , medicine , pathology , physics , quantum mechanics
This longitudinal study examined self‐concept changes as a function of orthodontic treatment. Three cohorts of adolescents undergoing orthodontia in consecutive years were given the Piers‐Hams Self‐concept Scale (Piers, 1969) at various times before, during, and after the treatment process. There were no changes in physical appearance subscale scores. Total self‐concept scores did increase from before to after treatment, but only for those subjects who were tested within 6 months after the removal of their braces. When posttest measures were taken more than 6 months after treatment, no self‐concept improvement was evident. Thus, orthodontic treatment produced no lasting effects on self‐esteem.