Simons Johan1, Van Damme Tine1,2, Delbroek Hanne3, Probst Michel1
1Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, O & N IV, Bus 1510, B 3000 Leuven, Belgium
2University Psychiatric Centre, Campus Leuven, Gasthuisberg, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Herestraat 49, B 3000 Leuven, Belgium
3University Psychiatric Centre, Campus Leuven, Gasthuisberg, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Herestraat 49, B 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Abstract
The primary objective of this study was to investigate self-esteem and physical selfesteem in adolescents with a psychiatric disorder. Additionally, the association between self-esteem and physical selfperception in those adolescents was evaluated. The third objective was to examine the impact and co-morbidity of psychiatric disorders on self-esteem and physical self-esteem. The total sample encompassed a clinical group (n=161) and a control group (n=161) matched to age and gender. The Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) was employed to assess self-esteem and physical self-esteem. Compared to healthy controls, patients demonstrated significantly lower selfesteem and physical self-perceptions. Both aspects seemed highly correlated in adolescents with a psychiatric disorder. Above and beyond the effect of gender the combination with oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder was a good predictor for most subscales of physical perception.Given the low self-esteem of adolescents with a psychiatric disorder, and the high correlation between self-esteem and physical self-perception in those adolescents, movement and physical activity must be incorporated in every program at a psychiatric unit.
Keywords:
Mental health, Self-esteem, Physical self-esteem, Adolescents.
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