Self-Concept/Self-Esteem Development

Because the phrases, "has low self-esteem" or "has poor self-concept" are frequently used in describing patients, there is a need for a clearer understanding of the meaning of these terms. This article explores briefly some of the literature on self-concept/self-esteem development through adolescence. How deficits in self-esteem can be recognized and utilized in establishing treatment goals in occupational therapy is addressed.     

Sexual Self-Concept in Women with Disorders/Differences of Sex Development

Many women born with disorders or differences of sex development (DSD) report sexual problems, in particular women who have undergone extensive genital reconstruction. Examining cognitions and emotions that hinder or promote sexuality may facilitate understanding these sexual problems and may contribute to the development of specific interventions. In this study, sexual self-concept, body image, and sexual functioning were investigated in relation to genital surgery. To conduct the study, the women’s Sexual Self-Concept Scale was translated to Dutch. Evaluation of psychometric properties was conducted in a sample of healthy Belgian and Dutch women participating in an anonymous web-based survey (N?=?589, Mdn age, 23 years). The resulting three-factor structure corresponded largely to that of the original version. Compared to control women, women born with a DSD who were included in the Dutch DSD study (N?=?99, Mdn age, 26 years) described themselves as being less interested in sex and less sexually active. These women also harbored more negative emotions and cognitions regarding their sexuality and were less satisfied with their external genitalia. In women with a DSD, sexual self-concept was associated with compromised outcomes on sexual functioning and distress. Women who were in a steady relationship, and/or had been sexually active in the past 4 weeks had a more positive sexual self-concept, took a more active role in their sexual relationship, experienced more sexual desire and arousal and less sexual distress than women who were not involved in a partner relationship. Findings in this study indicate that cognitions and emotions related to sexual self-concept play a role in sexual functioning of women with a DSD. A cognitive behavioral counseling approach with focus on coping and exploration of their own sexual needs could prove useful in this group.

     

Poverty,Self-Concept,and Health:

America's largest minority group at the beginning of the twenty-first century will be Hispanics/Latinos. Only a few years away from the new century, this group faces the sad reality of being at the lowest rung of the economic ladder, exhibiting poor health, being ignored in the data-collection process, and thought of as having low self-concept. A brief review of who they are and a summary of the data available in the areas of poverty, self concept, and health as they pertain to Hispanas/Latinas are provided. (The term “Hispanic” and “Latino” will be used interchangeably to describe the same population.) A vocational and counseling approach used at San Francisco Mission Community College is Described and its effectiveness for Hispanic women is discussed. Recommendations for future work are provided.     

Parental Expectations and Child's Self-Concept in Spina Bifida

In this study, I examined parental expectations of a child with spina bifida and the child's self-concept, and I explored the relation between expectations and self-concept. The Predictive Adaptive Ability Questionnaire and the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale were used to measure parental expectations and the child's self-concept in 30 able-bodied and 30 spina bifida parent-child dyads. Expectations were significantly different for the two groups; however, self-concept scores were not different, with no significant relation between the two. The results suggest that parents have different expectations for a child with a disability, and those expectations primarily reflect physical limitations.     

Self-Concept, Stress Symptomatology, and Tobacco Use

This study examined psychosocial variables associated with cigarette use while controlling for developmental aspects of adolescence. The variables examined included self-esteem, home-esteem, peer-esteem, and adolescent symptomatology of stress. Nine hundred thirty-four students in grades four-12 from 12 schools in two southeastern Ohio counties participated in the study. Data were collected using the Hare Self-Concept Scale, the Adolescent Stress Symptomatology Scale, and a self-report tobacco use instrument. Multiple analyses of covariance were used and, if significant multivariate differences existed, univariate analyses were conducted. Results suggest adolescent cigarette use and intervention strategies should be viewed from a psychosocial and developmental perspective.     

The Impact of Mastectomy on Self-Concept and Social Function

Self-concept and social function following radical, modified radical or simple mastectomy for Stage I or II breast cancer, breast biopsy for benign breast disease, cholecystectomy or no operative procedure were measured across a fifteen-month period in a cross-sectional design and across a twelve-month period in a repeated measures design. Women selected for study were without other preexisting mental or physical illness. The degree of disability observed following mastectomy was considerably less than previously reported in uncontrolled studies, with the incidence of actual disturbance extremely small. Women receiving adjuvant therapies following mastectomy, but not women treated by mastectomy alone, reported significantly more body-image dissatisfaction and feminine selfimage concerns than the comparison groups. The findings refute previously published impressions of severe psychosocial maladjustments following mastectomy. The study suggests that post-mastectomy women vulnerable to poorer outcome would be those with lower expectations of good quality social support, other present life stressors, other pre-existing chronic diseases, and a disposition to believe in life outcomes as less under their own control.     

Self-Concept and Satisfaction With Physical Appearance in Youth With and Without Oral Clefts

This study investigated relationships between child/parent dissatisfaction with child facial appearance and the self-concept/social competence of 8- to 15-year-old children with (N = 34) and without (N = 34) oral clefts. Children in both groups had normative psychosocial adjustment, but also reported moderate dissatisfaction with facial appearance. Cleft group parents were more likely to agree with their child's dissatisfaction. When cleft group parents were more dissatisfied with child facial appearance, their children reported better quality of life. Results suggest that parents of children with clefts reporting greater dissatisfaction may respond in positive ways that enhance quality of life.     

高中生自我概念与父母教养方式的相关研究

目的探讨高中生自我概念具体维度与父母养育方式之间的关系,为提高高中生的心理健康水平提供依据。方法采用田纳西自我概念量表和父母教养方式评价量表,对沧州市469名高中生进行调查。结果高中生的父母教养方式是影响自我概念形成的重要因素,不同的父母教养方式对子女的自我概念影响不同。对于不同性别高中生而言,自我概念总分、自我认同、自我满意和自我行动主要受同性别父母的情感温暖、理解因子的积极影响和异性别父母的过干涉、过保护和拒绝否认因子的消极影响。结论高中生自我概念主要受父母教养方式中同性别父母正向因子的积极影响和异性别父母负向因子的消极影响。     

Effects of Pilates-Based Exercise on Life Satisfaction,Physical Self-Concept and Health Status in Adult Women

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Pilates-based mat exercises on life satisfaction, perception of appreciation by other people, perception of physical appearance, perception of functionality, total physical self-concept, and perception of health status in healthy women. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Évora, Portugal, in 2008, in which 62 healthy adult women were randomized to a Pilates-based mat (experimental group) (n = 38, mean age ± SD, 41.08 ± 6.64 years) or a control group (n = 24, mean age ± SD, 40.25 ± 7.70 years). Experimental group participants performed the Initial Mat of Body Control Pilates twice per week, 60-minutes per session. Repeated measurements were performed at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. No significant differences between the two groups were observed in life satisfaction, perception of appreciation by other people, perception of physical appearance, perception of functionality, total physical self-concept, and perception of health status at three time point measures (baseline, after 3 months, and after 6 months). No significant differences were observed in the control group over time. The experimental group showed significant improvements between baseline and six months in life satisfaction (p = .04), perception of appreciation by other people (p = .002), perception of physical appearance (p = .001), perception of functionality (p = .01), total physical self-concept (p = .001), perception of health status (p = .013) and between three and six months in life satisfaction (p = .002), perception of appreciation by other people (p = .05), perception of physical appearance (p = .001), perception of functionality (p = .02), and total physical self-concept (p = .001). Life satisfaction, perception of appreciation by other people, perception of physical appearance, perception of functionality, total physical self-concept and perception of health status may improve after 6 months of Pilates-based mat exercise.     

Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet Pattern,Physical Activity,and Physical Self-Concept in Spanish Older Adults

Background: The aging world population is accelerating rapidly. Physical self-concept (PSC) is one of the psychosocial factors with the greatest influence on an individual’s well-being and health. The traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) is considered one of the healthiest dietary models, as it is nutritionally complete and easy to follow. Objective: To assess the adherence to MDP and its association with the practice of physical activity (PA) and PSC levels in the older adult Spanish population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of Spanish older adults (n = 342; older than 55 years old). Their PSC was assessed using a previously validated PSC questionnaire. Adherence to an MDP was assessed using a validated Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener questionnaire. Their PA was measured using the Spanish version of the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data on age, sex, hypertension, cholesterol or diabetes suffered in the last 12 months, as well as weight, height, and BMI, were collected. Results: At the lowest levels of PSC, the percentage of individuals who were non-active and non-adhering to the MDP was lower compared to the highest levels (75.0% vs. 19.6; p = 0.001; Cramer’s V = 0.414, and 83.3% vs. 57.9%; p = 0.001; Cramer’s V = 0.221, respectively). This sample showed an abandonment of the most classic habits of the MDP, such as the consumption of olive oil, vegetables, fruits, nuts and fish. Conclusions: Non-adherence to the MDP and low levels of PA are associated with low levels of PSC in older adults.     

Effect of Selected Family Variables on Social Preference, Academic Achievement and Self-Concept of Elementary School Children

This paper aims at studying the relative contribution of selected family variables on social preference, academic achievement and self-concept of elementary school children. An open-ended questionnaire based on family background information and two standardized tools: Peers Nomination Scale and Self-Concept Inventory were used to know the social preference and self-concept of children. The examination mark was taken to measure the pupil's academic achievement. No significant association was obtained between the selected family variables and children's social preference, academic achievement and self-concept in the present study.

However, the present study shows some positive indication towards the peers and the friends in developing the self-concept and its influence on the academic achievement of the elementary school children.     

Self-Concept and Adolescents′ Refusal of Unprotected Sex: A Test of Mediating Mechanisms Among African American Girls

During adolescence, girls form self-concepts that facilitate the transition to adulthood. This process may entail engaging in risky sexual behaviors resulting in STD infection and pregnancy. This study assessed the relation between self-concept and unwanted, unprotected sex refusal among 335 African American adolescent girls. The second aim was to determine whether attributes of partner communication about sex would act as a mediating mechanism on this hypothesized relationship. These assessments were made within the context of several theoretical models (social cognitive theory and theory of gender and power). Self-concept was composed of self-esteem, ethnic identity, and body image, whereas attributes of partner communication about sex was conceptualized as frequency of communication, fear of condom use negotiation, and self-efficacy of condom use negotiation. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data. The results showed that self-concept was associated with partner communication attributes about sex, which in turn, was associated with frequency of unprotected sex refusal. The hypothesized mediating role of partner communication was also supported. STD-HIV preventive interventions for this population may be more effective if they target self-concept as opposed to only self-esteem, incorporate an Afrocentric approach, and focus on enhancing several attributes of partner communication about sex.     

在沪就读藏族初中学生情绪和自我意识相关性研究

目的了解在沪读书藏族中学生情绪和自我意识之间的关系,以便为藏族学生心理咨询提供依据。方法应用流调用抑郁量表、PiersHarris儿童自我意识量表(PHSS)对藏族中学生672名进行调查。结果藏族中学生抑郁情绪的检出率为14.4%。男生在行为分量表、合群分量表的得分低于女生;躯体外貌分量表得分为男生高女生低。有抑郁情绪学生的PHSS总分和各分量表得分均低于无抑郁情绪的学生,差别有统计学意义。抑郁情绪与自我意识总分及各分量表得分呈负相关。结论在沪就读藏族中学生的情绪状态与自我意识有关,且相互影响。     

Negative Physical Self-Concept Is Associated to Low Cardiorespiratory Fitness,Negative Lifestyle and Poor Mental Health in Chilean Schoolchildren

Background: Evidence suggests that physical self-concept (PSC) is linked to well-being in children and adolescents. Objective: The objective was to investigate the association of PSC with mental health (i.e., depression and body image), physical status (i.e., fitness and weight status) and lifestyle (physical activity (PA) patterns and nutritional level) in Chilean schoolchildren. Methods: A total of 617 schoolchildren (n = 271 girls and n = 346 boys) aged 10–14 years participated in this study. Self-concept, depression and body image dissatisfaction were determined by questionnaires. Physical fitness, PA, screen time (ST), Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence and anthropometric parameters were also included. Results: Poor PSC was linked to bad cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) (<42 VO_2max) (OR 1.64; 95%CI 1.12–2.34; p = 0.01), severe body image dissatisfaction (OR 2.51, 95%CI 0.99–6.35; p = 0.05), ST of more than two hours a day (OR 2.1; 95%CI 1.41–3.12; p < 0.001), PA after school of no more than two hours per week (OR 1.52; 95%CI 1.08–2.13; p = 0.015) and depression (OR 1.80; 95%CI 1.1–2.92; p = 0.017). High nutritional level showed an association with general PSC and general self-concept (p < 0.05). Absence of body image dissatisfaction was related to general self-concept (p < 0.01) and physical condition dimensions (p < 0.05). Conclusions: PSC is associated with CRF, PA after school, ST and nutritional level. According to mental health variables, poor PSC is related to depression in Chilean schoolchildren. Therefore, promoting a healthy lifestyle among children should be a target of community- and school-based interventions to promote PSC.     

可持续发展与卫生发展

可持续发展是一种全新的人类生存方式，是人类发展观的革命，可持续发展的基本要求，就是自然、经济、社会的协调发展。卫生事业作为社会有机整体的重要组成部分，必须以可持续发展的价值观为指导，以管理、法制、教育、科技、公众参与作为支撑体系。努力实现卫生事业的可持续发展。     

以科学发展观促进医院可持续发展

面对日趋激烈的医疗市场竞争,军队医院的建设和发展必须按照科学发展观的要求,坚持科学定位,促进协调发展,把握适度规模,推进内涵建设,注重整合资源,充分凝聚力量,全面提升医院综合实力,真正实现军队医院的跨越式发展.     

Supervisor Development

ABSTRACT

This study examined the influence of experience (time-served) and training (formal instruction) on supervisory stance, supervisory emphases, and self-efficacy Current thinking (Hess, 1987; Watkins, 1993) suggests that, as supervisors develop they show more support to supervisees and demonstrate higher levels of self-efficacy and are less critical and dogmatic. Supervisors (n = 60) completed a measure of supervisory emphasis and identified thoughts they would convey to a trainee they had observed on videotape. Experience and training were positively associated with changes in supervisors' self-efficacy Multivariate analyses indicated that training, but not experience, was associated with more supportive, less critical, and less dogmatic thoughts. Neither experience nor training was associated with two measures of supervisory emphasis. Thl results of this study suggest that more supportive, less critical, and less dogmatic approach to supervision are a result of specific training in supervision. Further, it would appear that experience alone is not sufficient to enhance a supervisor's development.