General Self-perception Research Articles

Orthodontic retreatment need and related self-perceived factors among contemporary college freshmen in China.

Given that an increasing number of patients who received orthodontic treatment during their childhood or adolescence are seeking retreatment in contemporary China, it is of great necessity to comprehensively understand their motivations. A valid and reliable self-designed questionnaire, based on the Index of complexity, outcome and need (ICON), was distributed online to college freshmen who received orthodontic treatment during their childhood or adolescence. After collecting their basic information and orthodontic retreatment needs data from the survey, the participants' general self-perception of front facial appearance, lateral facial appearance and tooth alignment, as well as their self-perceived dental alignment, occlusal status, oral function and psychological status, were assessed. Correlation analysis, Chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test and logistic regression were performed. Reliability was evaluated for 20 paired questionnaires, and all questions were found to be reliable (intraclass correlation coefficient, >0.70). Among the 1609 participants with a history of orthodontic treatment, 45.56% were males and 54.44% were females. Their mean age was 18.48 ± 0.91 years. Our results showed that self-perceived front facial appearance, lateral facial profile, tooth alignment, occlusal status, oral function and psychological status were significantly correlated with orthodontic retreatment needs. Both appearance and psychological status affected their self-perceived dental alignment and occlusal status. In conclusion, patients who received orthodontic treatment during their childhood or adolescence in contemporary China seek orthodontic retreatment because they desire better aesthetics of their front facial appearance and tooth alignment, especially the anterior region of the tooth, the lower part of the face and a decent pronunciation. Additionally, psychological concerns should be viewed as an urge, while intraoral factors should be viewed as the foundation during future clinical practice regarding orthodontic retreatment in this age group.

The Culture of Narcissism: A Philosophical Analysis of “Fitspiration” and the Objectified Self

Abstract This article is a philosophical examination of the social media culture of fitness and the behavior which most distinctly characterizes it. Of the numerous and varied digital subcultures emerging with the rise of photo-based social media during the 2010s, the culture surrounding fitness, or “fitspiration,” stands out as one of the more notable. Research has identified the phenomenon as consisting to a large extent of users engaging in behaviors of self-sexualization and self-objectification, following, not unexpectedly, the inherent focus within fitness on the body, its maintenance and ultimately its appearance. Research also demonstrates that, for many, viewing and engaging in this behavior is linked to a deterioration of body-image, general self-perception and mental well-being. In this article, I analyze the phenomenon within a philosophical framework in which I combine the philosophical theory of Jean Baudrillard on media and the consumption of signs and the psychoanalytic perspective of Jacques Lacan on subjectivity, narcissism and desire. Using this framework, I discuss the body assuming the properties of a commodified object deriving its cultural value and meaning from the signs which adorn it, resulting in the “fitspiration” user imperative becoming the identification with an artificial object alien to the self, necessitating a narcissistically oriented, yet pernicious self-objectification. I argue that “fitspiration,” as well as the photo-based social media which both enables and defines it, indulges narcissism, detrimentally exaggerating the narcissistic inclinations lying at the center of subjectivity.

The effect of medication and question wording on self-reported symptoms and their accuracy in young adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

This study examined the effect of whether participants were on or off their medications and the effect of questionnaire wording on self-reported symptoms in young adults with ADHD. Additionally, this research evaluated the relationships between these self-reported symptoms and objective performance on measures of working memory. This experimental study utilized a mixed factorial design with one between-subjects factor (whether participants were unmedicated or medicated at the time they completed their assessment) and one within-subjects factor (whether participants reported their on-medication or off-medication symptoms when describing their ADHD subjective symptomatology). Forty-five young adults with ADHD (ages 18-23) completed a brief neuropsychological evaluation and several self-report questionnaires. Although being medicated or unmedicated while completing the questionnaires did not directly affect self-reported symptoms or their accuracy, questionnaire wording exerted a statistically significant effect on subjective symptomatology; participants described themselves as substantially more symptomatic at times when they are off than at times when they are on their medications. More importantly, their general self-perceptions (symptoms when medication state was not specified) of their Inattention/Memory Problems and their Hyperactivity/Restlessness aligned with their descriptions of their off-medication symptoms, whereas their general self-perceptions of their Impulsivity/Emotional Lability and Problems with Self-Concept related to both their self-reported off-medication and on-medication symptoms. These results highlight the necessity of specifying medication state when asking patients to report their current symptomatology. Failing to do so risks an over-reporting of symptoms from patients who are typically on medications as they may describe the extent of their unmedicated, rather than medicated, symptomatology. Being medicated or unmedicated while completing questionnaires about subjective symptomatology did not directly affect self-reported symptoms of young adults with ADHD or the accuracy of these self-reports. When medication state was not specified on a questionnaire, young adults with ADHD reported symptoms similar to those they experience when they are not medicated. These results highlight the importance of specifying medication state when asking young adults with ADHD to report their current symptomatology. Failing to do so risks an over-reporting of symptoms from patients who are typically on medications. These findings open the door for further research with larger and more diverse and representative samples of adults with ADHD to evaluate the accuracy of their subjective symptomatology relative to their objective abilities. Future studies should also examine whether gender affects subjective symptoms, their accuracy, or the influence of question wording and medications on self-reported symptomatology of adults with ADHD, as the current study was unable to address this important issue.

GIFTEDNESS AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AS DETERMINANTS OF COMPETENCE SELF-PERCEPTION IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Conducting this research, we wanted to explore the competence self-perception in gifted elementary school students and to compare different aspects of gifted and non-gifted children’s self-perception. In addition to this, we investigated gender differences as well as the correlation between self-perception and academic achievement. The research sample comprised 62 participant, 31 gifted and 31 non-gifted children aged 10 to 15. A matched participant design was used and the controlling variables were: academic achievement in the current and previous grades, gender and a socio-economic status. All the participants were tested by two instruments: The Socio-Demographic instrument and the Self-Perception Profile for Children developed by Susan Harter (1985), which measures six aspects of self-perception (competencies): school competence, social competence, sports competence, physical competence, behavioral competence and general self-perception. The results showed that the highest level of students’ competence was observed for the school competence aspect, then behavioral one, followed by general self- concept, while a lower level of physical and sports competence was reached. Furthermore, there is a statistically significant correlation between most of the personal competence sub-scales, except between sports competence on the one hand, and school competence and behavioral competence, on the other hand. This implies that competence self- perception is the construct comprised of different interrelated aspects and if one shows a tendency for positive self-perception in one aspect; most probably that person will have positive self- perception in another as well. No statistically significant differences were found between the gifted and the non-gifted children, which means that giftedness is not an important factor of self-perception. Also, gender differences were significant only among the gifted children where the boys perceived themselves as more competent in the social and physical aspects.

SUBJECTIVE AGING: SOMETHING UNIQUE OR JUST ANOTHER EXPRESSION OF GENERAL SELF-BELIEFS?

Using data from the German Ageing Survey (adults aged 40‒85), this study tested the convergent and discriminant validity of subjective aging measures by comparing three different measures of subjective aging with one another and relating them to established measures of general self-beliefs (optimism, self-efficacy, subjective health) and subjective well-being (depression, affect). Correlations between subjective aging measures ranged from ‒.61 (amongst general self-perceptions of aging measures) to ‒.09, with subjective age being least related to the other measures. The highest overlap was observed between optimism and global self-perceptions of aging (.69) and it was for these global self-perceptions that the highest amount of variance could be explained by correlates in a regression analysis (R-square=.55). In contrast, only 10% of variance could be explained for subjective age. Our results underline the merit of taking the multidimensional nature of subjective aging into account since global measures appear less distinct from general personality traits.

Tooth loss in middle-aged adults with diabetes and hypertension: Social determinants, health perceptions, oral impact on daily performance (OIDP) and treatment need.

BackgroundThis study aimed to explore the association between tooth loss and social determinants, health self-perceptions, OIDP and self-concept of dental treatment need in middle-aged adults with diabetes and hypertension.Material and MethodsA cross-sectional study was developed with 212 hypertensive and diabetic middle-aged adults (50-65 years). Data were collected from clinical examinations (DMFT) and a questionnaire regarding socioeconomic status, dental health assistance, self-perceptions of oral and general health, OIDP, and the self-concept of dental treatment need. Tooth loss was dichotomized considering the cutoff point of 12 (Model I) or 24 missing teeth (Model II). Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression (p≤0.05).ResultsTooth loss was significantly associated with variables such as last dental visit, reason for dental visit, OIDP, perception of dental treatment need, and general self-perception (Model I). Schooling, last dental visit, oral health self-perception and perception of dental treatment need were significantly associated with tooth loss in the Model II. When Model 1 and 2 were adjusted, they demonstrated that last dental visit and perception of dental treatment need were predictor variables.ConclusionsThe annual dental visit and the self-concept of dental treatment need were associated with tooth loss, demonstrating that these variables reduce the tooth loss prevalence. Key words:Access /barriers to care, Dental treatment, Geriatric dentistry.

Influence of the dental prosthetic status on self-perceptions of health and treatment needs: A cross-sectional study of middle-aged adults with chronic disease.

BackgroundSubjective aspects of dental prosthesis need in middle-aged adults are poorly explored, especially when the population presents chronic diseases. Objectives: To investigate if the use and necessity of dental prosthesis influence the self-perceptions of health and dental treatment need in middle-aged adults with chronic diseases.Material and MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed in 210 middle-aged adults. Socio-demographic aspects, dental services use, oral and general perceptions of health, dental treatment need and OIDP were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. One trained dentist evaluated the use and necessity of dental prosthesis. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression (p<0.05).ResultsThe use of dental prosthesis showed a proportion of 2.2:1 for upper to lower arch. Dental prosthesis need was largely prevalent (90 and 95% in upper and lower arch, respectively). The self-perceptions of dental treatment need and oral health were associated with the use and necessity of dental prosthesis (p<0.05), which could not be observed in relation to the general self-perception. The adjusted model demonstrated that the subjective necessity of dental treatment was 16.04 (1.92-133.7) fold higher in individuals with necessity of rehabilitation in the lower arch. Besides, a positive self-perception of oral health (satisfied) was 2.59 (1.38-4.85) more expressive in individuals that used a dental prosthesis in upper arch.ConclusionsThe self-perception of oral health was influenced by the use of maxillary dental prosthesis in individuals with chronic disease. Moreover, individuals were more likely able to perceive treatment need when the lower jaw was affected by tooth loss. Key words:Tooth loss, epidemiology, personal satisfaction, aged, chronic disease.

The Analysis of Fourth Grade Primary Students’ Reader Self-perceptions in Terms of Gender and Preschool Educational Background

The aim of this study was to analyse perceptions of fourth grade primary school students on their reading ability. In study, screening model was used as a quantitative research method. The sample of this research was selected by convenience sampling. The sample consisted of 556 fourth grade students who received education in 8 public schools in 2014-2015 academic year in Tuzla, Pendik, Çekmeköy and Kadıköy districts in İstanbul. A ‘personal information form’ and a ‘Reading Self-Perception Scale’ were used as data collection tools in this study. It is found that the readability level of scales and their sub-dimensions’ was convenience for the research according to item analysis. The data collected by personal information form and Reader Self-Perception Scale was analysed with SPSS (Statical Package for the Social Sciences) 23 statistical package program. For the analysis frequency and percentage distribution, mean square and standard deviation values, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and independent samples t-test were used. The general reader self-perception of fourth graders is at positive level. The highest level of reader self-perceptions is at ‘progress’ The general self-perception levels of students vary by gender. The reader self-perceptions level of female students is higher than the reader self-perceptions level of male students. The reader self-perceptions of students vary by pre-school educational background. The students who have pre-school educational background have higher level of reader self-perception with its sub-dimensions than the students who don’t have pre-school educational background.

Caracterización del autoconcepto en niños y niñas en situación de desplazamiento en Mocoa, Colombia

Objetivo: describir las características del autoconcepto de niñas y niños de 12 años en situación de desplazamiento de una Institución Educativa de la ciudad de Mocoa, Putumayo. Metodología: la investigación incluyó una muestra intencional de 43 casos; se empleó para la selección de los casos, la prueba Minikid; y para la recolección de información, el test AFA 5. El estudio fue de carácter descriptivo transversal. Hallazgos: los niños y niñas evaluados presentaron, con excepción de la puntuación obtenida en relación con la dimensión emocional, un nivel de autoconcepto general con puntuaciones más altas a las reportadas por los baremos de la prueba. Conclusiones: a pesar de la situación de desplazamiento a la que estos niños han sido sometidos, han logrado sobreponerse a las consecuencias del trauma, probablemente desde su capacidad de resiliencia para superar los períodos de dolor emocional.

An Evaluation of Competency Perceptions of Non-native English Instructors

The aim of this study is to provide some evidence about the special field competencies of Non-native English instructors in a state university and evaluate these competencies in terms of various variables. In the study, data was collected by “Perception Scale for Turkish Teachers on Special Field Competencies” developed according to the competencies identified by the Ministry of Education (MOE). The scale is a five-item Likert-type scale consisting of 34 items. The population of the study consisted of non-native 32 non-native English instructors at Pamukkale University. The results of the study showed that the general self-perceptions of the instructors is high, however, the departments graduated and the academic level of the instructors may effect the self-perception level.

Mirror on the Wall: A Study of Women’s Perception of Facial Features as They Age

Facial aesthetic treatments are among the most popular cosmetic procedures worldwide, but the factors that motivate women to change their facial appearance are not fully understood. The authors examine the relationships among the facial areas on which women focus most as they age, women's general self-perception, and the effect of their personal focus on "beauty points" on their perception of other women's faces. In this prospective study, 200 women who presented to a cosmetic surgery outpatient clinic for consultation between December 2009 and February 2010 completed a questionnaire. The 200 participants were grouped by age: 20-29 years, 30-39, 40-49, and 50 or older (50 women in each group). They were asked which part of their face they focus on most when looking in the mirror, which part they notice most in other women (of different age groups), what they like/dislike most about their own face, and whether they wished to change any facial feature. A positive correlation was found between women's focal points and the areas they dislike or desire to change. Younger women focused mainly on their nose and skin, while older women focused on their periorbital area and jawline. Women focus on their personal focal points when looking at other women in their 20s and 30s, but not when looking at older women. Women presenting for cosmetic surgery consultation focus on the areas that they dislike most, which leads to a desire to change those features. The plastic surgeon must fully understand patients' expectations to select appropriate candidates and maximize satisfaction with the outcomes.

Academic self‐handicapping: Relationships with learning specific and general self‐perceptions and academic performance over time

Academic self-handicapping (ASH) tendencies, strategies students employ that increase their chances of failure on assessments while protecting self-esteem, are correlated with classroom goal structures and to learners' general self-perceptions and learning strategies. In particular, greater ASH is related to poorer academic performance but has yet to be examined with respect to learners' performance across a series of tests. This research was designed to examine the relationship between students' ASH tendencies and their self-concept clarity, learning strategies, and performance on a series of tests in a university course. A total of 209 (153 female; 56 male) Canadian university psychology students participated in this study. Participants' ASH tendencies, self-concept clarity, approaches to learning, and self-regulatory learning strategies were assessed along with expected grades and hours of study in the course from which they were recruited. Finally, students' grades were obtained for the three tests for the course from which they were recruited. Students reporting greater self-handicapping tendencies reported lower self-concept clarity, lower academic self-efficacy, greater test anxiety, more superficial learning strategies, and scored lower on all tests in the course. The relationships of ASH scores and learner variables with performance varied across the three performance indices. In particular, ASH scores were more strongly related to second and third tests, and prior performances were accounted for. ASH scores accounted for a relatively small but significant proportion of variance for all three tests. These results showed that ASH is a unique contributing factor in student performance outcomes, and may be particularly important after students complete the initial assessment in a course.

Selbst- und Fremdeinschätzungsfragebogen zum Mutter-Kind-Interaktionsverhalten (SF-MKI)

Childbearing, from the standpoint of psychological medicine, is the most complex event in human experience. Recently delivered mothers are vulnerable to the whole spectrum of general psychiatric disorders, as well as those resulting from the physical and psychological changes of childbirth. Even if most depressed mothers do not have a relationship problem with their neonates, new mothers who are mentally ill may be dysfunctional and experience impaired communication with their newborns. There is growing evidence of possible long-term negative consequences for the cognitive and social development of a child in such a situation. This gives strength to the arguments for increased awareness and more specific treatment modalities. To evaluate the quality of mother-child interaction in clinical settings we constructed a questionnaire which enables mothers' self rating and staff rating of these child related behaviors. Statistical analyses show that the SF-MKI is a reliable instrument with three independent scales: "responsive interpersonal functioning", "general self-perception" and "self-care in interaction".

A Test of the Internal/External Frame of Reference Model at Different Levels of Math and Verbal Self-Perception

In this study, predictive relations were examined between math and verbal achievement and several different measures of motivation. The sample consisted of 348 sixth grade and 325 ninth grade Norwegian students. Motivation variables of self-concept, self-perceived aptitude, and self-perceived ability to learn within each domain were highly correlated and used as indicators to define math and verbal latent variables labeled general math and verbal self-perceptions . Subscales measuring self-perceived math and verbal skills were used to define another set of math and verbal latent variables labeled specific math and verbal self-perceptions. Both general and specific math and verbal self-perceptions were strongly related to corresponding achievement. Predictions from Marsh’s internal/external frame of reference model were confirmed for math and verbal general self-perceptions but not for specific self-perceptions. General self-perceptions strongly affected intrinsic motivation, self-perceived effort, and anxiety in the respective domains, whereas specific self-perceptions did not. The pattern of results was quite similar for the two grade levels.

A Test of the Internal/External Frame of Reference Model at Different Levels of Math and Verbal Self-Perception

In this study, predictive relations were examined between math and verbal achievement and several different measures of motivation. The sample consisted of 348 sixth grade and 325 ninth grade Norwegian students. Motivation variables of self-concept, self-perceived aptitude, and self-perceived ability to learn within each domain were highly correlated and used as indicators to define math and verbal latent variables labeled general math and verbal self-perceptions. Subscales measuring self-perceived math and verbal skills were used to define another set of math and verbal latent variables labeled specific math and verbal self-perceptions. Both general and specific math and verbal self-perceptions were strongly related to corresponding achievement. Predictions from Marsh’s internal/external frame of reference model were confirmed for math and verbal general self-perceptions but not for specific self-perceptions. General self-perceptions strongly affected intrinsic motivation, self-perceived effort, and anxiety in the respective domains, whereas specific self-perceptions did not. The pattern of results was quite similar for the two grade levels.

Self-Perceptions, Motivation, and Adjustment in Children with Learning Disabilities

This study examined the self-perceptions, motivational orientations, and classroom adjustment of children with learning disabilities (LD), matched-IQ non-LD, randomly selected non-LD, and low achieving children. Elementary-age children (N = 148; 37 from each group) completed domain-specific measures of their self-concepts, perceptions of control, and motivation. Teachers rated children on motivational and competence indices and classroom behavioral adjustment. Comparisons among groups indicated that children with LD were lower in perceived cognitive competence and academic self-regulation relative to the nondisabled control groups, but were comparable to the low achieving children. Children with LD were most likely to perceive academic outcomes as controlled by powerful others. No group differences were found for general self-perceptions of control or competence. Teacher ratings of children with LD were more discrepant from those of comparison groups than were self-ratings of children with LD. The results suggest the need for matched-IQ and low achieving control groups in research on children with LD. The origin and role of both environmental inputs and self-perceptions in the adjustment of students with LD are discussed.