Self-concept and body-image of children during physical illness

Abstract

The authors explored children's understanding of their physical illnesses and their effects on body-image and self-concept. A majority of 19 hospitalized boys of latency age realistically understood the nature of their illness and their treatment when health care personnel provided them with adequate information. Interviews and psychological tests showed that acute physical illness did not have a significant impact on general self-concept but did alter body-image in 37% of the children during the period of acute illness.