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Self‐esteem in children and adolescents with mobility impairment: impact on well‐being and coping strategies
Author(s) -
Jemtå L,
FuglMeyer K S,
Öberg K,
Dahl M
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.01081.x
Subject(s) - self esteem , checklist , coping (psychology) , clinical psychology , medicine , psychology , developmental psychology , cognitive psychology
Aim: The first aim was to investigate dimension‐specific and global self‐esteem in children and adolescents with mobility impairment and to analyse the relation between self‐esteem and demographic data and disability characteristics. The second aim was to identify the impact of five self‐esteem dimensions on well‐being and coping strategies. Methods: A total of 138 children and adolescents aged 7–18 years with mobility impairment took part in a semi‐structured interview. Demographic and disability characteristics were recorded and motor function was assessed. Self‐esteem was measured by the ‘I think I am’ inventory. Perceived overall well‐being was measured by a nine‐grade visual scale, the Snoopy scale, and coping strategies by the Children's Coping Strategies Checklist. Results: Although a majority estimated a relatively high level of dimension‐specific and global self‐esteem, several demographic and disability factors for lower self‐esteem were identified. Those who estimated their ‘physical characteristics’ lower used the coping strategy ‘distraction’ more often. Three out of five dimensions of self‐esteem were positively associated with perceived overall well‐being: ‘physical characteristics’, ‘psychological well‐being’ and ‘relationships with others’. Conclusion: Awareness of vulnerability factors for lower self‐esteem in children and adolescents with mobility impairment offer health care professionals specific opportunities to enhance self‐esteem in this group.