Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale Research Articles

Art therapy focus groups for children and adolescents with epilepsy

Children with epilepsy are at risk for numerous psychological and social challenges. We hypothesized that art therapy focus groups would enhance the self-image of children and adolescents with epilepsy. Sixteen children with epilepsy, ages 7–18years, were recruited from pediatric neurology clinics at the University of Wisconsin to participate in four art therapy sessions. Pre-group assessments included psychological screens (Piers–Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale; Childhood Attitude Toward Illness Scale; Impact of Childhood Neurologic Disability Scale) and art therapy instruments (Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale; Seizure Drawing Task; Levick Emotional and Cognitive Art Therapy Assessment). Developmental levels of drawings were significantly below age-expected standards. Following completion of focus groups, a repeat Childhood Attitude Toward Illness Scale showed no differences between pre- and post-test scores on any measure of this scale. However, subjects and parents were uniformly positive about their group experiences, suggesting a qualitative benefit from participation in art therapy focus groups.

Randomized controlled trial assessing participation and quality of life in a supported speed treadmill training exercise program vs. a strengthening program for children with cerebral palsy

A multi-site Randomized-Controlled Trial compared a home-based Supported Speed Treadmill Training Exercise Program (SSTTEP) with a strengthening exercise program in children with cerebral palsy (CP) on the following categories; Participation, quality of life (QOL), self-concept, goal attainment, and satisfaction. Twenty-six children with spastic cerebral palsy were assigned by site-based block randomization to the SSTTEP (n=14) or strengthening exercise (n=12) group. Both groups participated in a two week clinic-based induction period and continued the intervention at home for ten weeks. Data were collected at baseline, post-intervention (12 weeks), and follow-up (16 weeks). Assessments included the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment Scale, Pediatric Quality of Life Cerebral Palsy Module, and Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale. Evaluators were blinded to group assignment at two sites. Satisfaction and performance on individual goals, participation, and parent-reported QOL improved in both groups with improvement maintained for four weeks post intervention. The hypothesis that the SSTTEP group would have better outcomes than the exercise group was not supported. However, both groups showed that children with CP can make gains in participation, individual goals, and satisfaction following a 12-week intensive exercise intervention, and these findings persisted for four weeks post intervention.

Children with surgically corrected hand deformities and upper limb deficiencies: self-concept and psychological well-being

We studied self-concept and psychological well-being in children with hand deformities and upper limb deficiencies. Ninety-two children, 53 boys, 39 girls, aged 9-11 years were included. The children were divided into two subgroups - one with milder (less visible) deformities and one with severe (more complex and visible) finger-hand-arm deformities. Of the 92 children, 79 had received reconstructive surgery, and 13 had been treated with prostheses. The Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (PHCSCS) was used to measure self-esteem and well-being. Overall PHCSCS scores showed that the whole hand deformity group had 'good' self-concept with mean scores in excess of 60 points, equal to a comparison group of healthy children. Within the hand deformity group, those with mild deformities had lower scores than those with severe deformities. This result was also found in the group of boys but not in the girls. The children with severe deformities had even higher scores than the comparison group regarding the subscale 'Intellectual and School Status'. The children with milder deformities had lower scores than the comparison group regarding the subscale 'Popularity'.

Is early class III protraction facemask treatment effective? A multicentre, randomized, controlled trial: 15‐month follow‐up

To investigate the effectiveness of early class III protraction facemask treatment in children under 10 years of age. Multicentre, randomized controlled trial. Eight UK hospital orthodontic units. Seventy-three patients were randomly allocated, stratified for gender, into an early class III protraction facemask group (PFG) (n = 35) and a control/no treatment group (CG) (n = 38). Dentofacial changes from lateral cephalograms and occlusal changes using the peer assessment rating (PAR). Self-esteem was assessed using the Piers-Harris children's self-concept scale, and the psychosocial impact of malocclusion with an oral aesthetic subjective impact scores (OASIS) questionnaire. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) signs and symptoms were also recorded. The time points for data collection were at registration (DC1) and 15 months later (DC2). The following mean skeletal and occlusal changes occurred from the class III starting point: SNA, PFG moved forwards 1.4 degrees (CG forward 0.3 degrees; P = 0.018); SNB, PFG moved backwards -0.7 degrees (CG forward 0.8 degrees; P<0.001); ANB, PFG class III base improved +2.1 degrees (CG worsened by -0.5 degrees; P<0.001). This contributed to an overall difference in ANB between PFG and CG of 2.6 degrees in favour of early protraction facemask treatment. The overjet improved +4.4 mm in the PFG and marginally changed +0.3 mm in the CG (P<0.001). A 32.2% improvement in PAR was shown in the PFG and the CG worsened by 8.6%. There was no increased self-esteem (Piers-Harris score) for treated children compared with controls (P = 0.22). However, there was a reduced impact of malocclusion (OASIS score) for the PFG compared with the CG (P = 0.003), suggesting treatment resulted in slightly less concern about the tooth appearance. TMJ signs and symptoms were very low at DC1 and DC2 and none were reported during active facemask treatment. Early class III orthopaedic treatment, with protraction facemask, in patients under 10 years of age, is skeletally and dentally effective in the short term and does not result in TMJ dysfunction. Seventy per cent of patients had successful treatment, defined as achieving a positive overjet. However, early treatment does not seem to confer a clinically significant psychosocial benefit.

Socioeconomic Status, Physical Fitness, Self-Concept, Attitude toward Physical Education, and Academic Achievement of Children

The goal was to analyze the physical fitness, self-concept, attitudes toward physical education, and academic achievement of Turkish elementary school children by socioeconomic status. 198 (101 boys, 97 girls) students from Grades 7 and 8 completed the Children's Attitude Inventory towards Physical Education, the Piers-Harris Children's Self-concept Scale, and Eurofit Physical Fitness Test Battery. Significant differences were found between the groups of Low and High socioeconomic status (SES) in terms of physical fitness and academic achievement. While the Low SES group had higher mean scores on physical fitness, mean academic achievements of the High SES group were higher. Mean differences in height, self-concept, and children's attitudes toward physical education by socioeconomic status were not statistically significant. Particular attention should be paid to physical fitness in children of high socioeconomic status and the academic achievement of children with low socioeconomic status.

The self-concept and personality of the children in the SOS children village

Objective To study the characteristics of self-concept and personality in the SOS children vil-lage's children. Methods Sixty-one children from SOS children village, sixty-one children with single parent and sixty-one children in intact family, matched with the SOS children in gender and age, were assessed by Piers-Harris children's self-concept Scale(PHCSS), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire for Children (EPQ) and general status questionnaire. Result In the PHCSS, the scores on behavior, body of color and attribute, blessedness and satisfac-tion and the total score of boys in the SOS group were lower than those in the intact family group's ((10.69± 2.74) vs (12.57±2.36),P=0.013;(6.51±2.63) vs (8.29±2.75), P=0.011;(6.54±1.93) vs (7.97± 1.60), P=0.004; (48.09±10.88) vs (55.86±10.11), P=0.007)). The E scale's score of the SOS group's girls was lower than that in the intact group (P=0.004). Children's self-concept status was related with their learning environment, family structure, parent' s learning expectation, daily communication, personality, number of good friends and academic performance (-0.566 < r < 0.395). Conclusions The self-concept status of girls in the SOS children village show lower level. The personality of boys in the SOS children village tend to be introver-sive and stable. Children's self-concept status was related with the factors of their personality, life environment,family structure,et al. Key words: SOS children village; Child; Self-concept; Personality

Deafness, Teacher-of-the-deaf Support and Self-concept in Australian Deaf Students

This study examines whether self-concept scores of deaf students vary according to age at diagnosis of deafness, the degree of deafness and the number of visits students receive from a teacher of the deaf. Thirty-seven deaf students between the ages of 12 and 18 attending inclusive educational settings in Western Australia participated in the study. The Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale, Second Edition (Piers-Harris 2) was used as a measure of self-concept. Overall, group mean self-concept scores on the Piers-Harris 2 were within the average range, with some differences between groups in relation to these. There were no significant main effects of age at diagnosis of deafness or the degree of deafness on Piers-Harris 2 domain scale and total self-concept scores. There was also no significant main effect of the number of visits by a teacher of the deaf on the Piers-Harris 2 total self-concept score. However, a significant main effect of the number of visits from a teacher of the deaf found on Piers-Harris 2 domain-scale scores was attributable to differences between the groups on the Physical Attributes and Happiness and Satisfaction scales. Specifically, students receiving one visit per week scored higher on these self-concept scales than students who received two or more visits per week. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Study on psychological and behavioral intervention on self-concept level of school-age children with asthma

Objective To evaluate the impact of psychological and behavioral intervention on self-concept of school- age children with asthma. Methods The intervention group and the control group in-cluded 50 patients each. Those in the intervention group attended a 6-month psychological behavioral inter-vention in addition to routine follow-up visit and inhalation therapy, while the control group received the routine follow-up visit and inhalation therapy only. Piers-Harris children's self-concept scale (PHCSS) was administered to evaluate the self- concept of the sample repeatedly at 3 months and 6 months. Data about the incidence times of asthma, time of absent from school and hospitalization time were collected within 6-month intervention. Results After 6- month intervention ,the incidence times of asthma and time of ab-sent from school in the intervention group were less San those of the control group. No statistical difference was seen in hospitalization time between the two groups. The total self- concept level and the scores of most subscales, including intelligence and academic competence, physical appearance and attribute, anxiety and popularity in the intervention group were higher than those of the control group. Conclusions Psycholog-ical behavioral intervention was effective in reducing psychosomatic effect of asthma, improving self-con-cept of school- age children with asthma, and promoting the physical and mental health of them. Key words: Psychological behavioral intervention; School-age children; Asthma; Self-concept

Influence of health-behavior training on mind and serf-concept of children patients at school age having falling sickness

Objective To explore the influence of health-behavior training on mind and self-notion of children patients at school age having falling sickness. Methods Taking 112 school-aged children patients having falling sickness as the study subjects and dividing them into two groups: the study group and the control group. The control group was given a health education, and the study group was conducted a health-behavior training in addition to the health eduction. A comparison between the conditions before the training and after the training was conducted with Piers-Harris children self-concept scale. In addition, an evaluation on the effect was made after 1 year of discharge of the children from hospital. Results The six components, including behaviors, mind and conditions in school, physical appearance, anxiety, being gregarious, blessedness and satisfaction, as well as the total score of these' components, among the study group after being intervened, have statistically significant differences when compared to those of the control group (for all, P <0.01 ). The attitude to disease and to side effects of drugs, emotion, ability of adaptation to society, healthy condition, and satisfaction degree to lives, for the children patients in the study group is better than those for the children patients in the control group (P < 0. 01 ). Conclusions Taking health-behavior training as the intervening means may help the children patients eliminate their self-abasement mentality, and improve their self-concept level. Key words: Children; Falling sickness; Health behavior; Training; Self-concept

Deafness, teacher-of-the-deaf support and self-concept in Australian deaf students

AbstractThis study examines whether self-concept scores of deaf students vary according to age at diagnosis of deafness, the degree of deafness and the number of visits students receive from a teacher of the deaf. Thirty-seven deaf students between the ages of 12 and 18 attending inclusive educational settings in Western Australia participated in the study. The Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale, Second Edition (Piers-Harris 2) was used as a measure of self-concept. Overall, group mean self-concept scores on the Piers-Harris 2 were within the average range, with some differences between groups in relation to these. There were no significant main effects of age at diagnosis of deafness or the degree of deafness on Piers-Harris 2 domain scale and total self-concept scores. There was also no significant main effect of the number of visits by a teacher of the deaf on the Piers-Harris 2 total self-concept score. However, a significant main effect of the number of visits from a teacher of the deaf found...

Quality of Life and Self-Esteem for Children With Urinary Urge Incontinence and Voiding Postponement

Urge incontinence and voiding postponement are common subtypes of daytime wetting in children. We analyzed health related quality of life for children with urge incontinence and voiding postponement, and healthy controls at 2 centers. We examined a total of 49 consecutive children 5 to 13 years old who presented with urge incontinence (22) or voiding postponement (27), and 32 controls matched for age and sex. Health related and overall quality of life were measured with generic questionnaires, and self-esteem was measured with the Piers-Harris questionnaire. Health related quality of life was significantly reduced in parent rating but not in child rating in the incontinent vs control group (total mean parent score 73 vs 78, child 76 vs 76). Children with voiding postponement have the lowest health related quality of life. Overall quality of life was significantly reduced in children with incontinence, while self-esteem did not differ. Children with externalizing disorders generally have the lowest health related and overall quality of life. Health related and overall quality of life are useful constructs, and are reduced in children with daytime incontinence by parental rating. In comparison, children rate their quality of life as being higher. Quality of life is lowest with externalizing behavioral disorders, as in children with voiding postponement. Due to comorbid behavioral disturbances, children with voiding postponement often need additional assessment, counseling and treatment.

A controlled study on the psychological characteristics of long-term survivors of childhood leukemia

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare psychosocial functioning of long-term survivors of childhood leukemia, children newly diagnosed as leukemia and age-matched healthy controls. Methods Nineteen long-term survivors of childhood leukemia(Group A), twenty children newly diagnosed as leukemia(Group B) and forty age-matched healthy controls (Group C)completed the questionnaires allowing assessment of symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, self-concept and personality by using the screen for child anxiety related emotional disorders(SCARED), depression self rating scale for children(DSRSC), Piers-Harris children's self-concept scale(PHCSS)and Eysenck personality questionnaire(EPQ), respectively. Results Group A scored significantly higher on subscales of somatization/panic(6.11±4.36), generalized anxiety(5.72±4.56), social phobia(7.67±4.19) and the total scale(25.72±14.72) than Group C(the score was 3.82±1.69,2.84±1.92, 3.95±2.85 and 16.11±11.81, respectively, P＜0.05),the depression score was higher than that of the control group, but have no significant difference(P=0.069). The total score of self-concept of both group A (60.06±8.07)and group B(58.25±6.54) were significantly lower than that of the group C(64.90±7.30)(P＜0.05). Among which, group A scored significantly higher on subscales of anxiety and gregarization than group C(P＜0.05).And Group B scored significantly higher on subscales of behavior, intelligence and anxiety than group C(P＜0.05). The extraversion score of EPQ in group A was lower than that in group B and C,whereas the other three dimensions (P,N,L) of EPQ test showed no difference between the three groups. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that survivors of childhood leukemia are at risk for psychological difficulties. Key words: Pediatric psychology; Childhood leukemia; Anxiety; Depression; Self-concept

A depressão materna e o comportamento de crianças em idade escolar

A depressão materna caracteriza-se como condição de vulnerabilidade ao desenvolvimento infantil. No presente estudo, objetivou-se comparar o perfil comportamental, as percepções e os eventos de vida de escolares que convivem com a depressão materna (G1) aos daqueles que convivem com mães sem história psiquiátrica (G2), segundo as informações obtidas com as mães e as crianças. Avaliou-se 40 crianças, de 7 a 12 anos, por meio do Teste Raven, da Escala Infantil Piers-Harris de Autoconceito e da Entrevista de Eventos Vitais. As mães foram avaliadas pela Entrevista Clínica Estruturada para o DSM-IV para a confirmação diagnóstica, e responderam a Escala Comportamental Infantil A2 de Rutter. A depressão materna mostrou-se associada a problemas comportamentais das crianças, segundo o relato das mães e a percepção das crianças.

Children's Self-Concept: A Multicultural Comparison

Self-concept is critical in the social and emotional development of children, although little research has examined its relationship to ethnicity. The self-concept of 214 fourth- and fifth-grade students (White, Black/Haitian American, and Hispanic) revealed differences among groups on the Behavior and Total Self-Concept subscales of the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale. Findings revealed that Black students had the lowest scores on the Behavior domain and Blacks scored significantly lower than Hispanics on Total Self-Concept. Counseling implications are discussed.

Children's Self-Concept: A Multicultural Comparison

Self-concept is critical in the social and emotional development of children, although little research has examined its relationship to ethnicity. The self-concept of 214 fourth- and fifth-grade students (White, Black/Haitian American, and Hispanic) revealed differences among groups on the Behavior and Total Self-Concept subscales of the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale. Findings revealed that Black students had the lowest scores on the Behavior domain and Blacks scored significantly lower than Hispanics on Total Self-Concept. Counseling implications are discussed.

Is Image Everything? The Role of Self-Image in the Relationship Between Family Functioning and Substance Use Among Hispanic Adolescents

This cross-sectional self-report study examined (1) whether family functioning (Family Functioning in Adolescence Questionnaire, FFAQ) and self-image (Piers–Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale) have independent associations with smoking and alcohol use and (2) whether self-image mediates the relationship between family functioning, smoking, and alcohol use among 1,598 Hispanic males and females in grades 7 through 12 in Los Angeles County, California, in 2001. The findings supported the main effects and, to some degree, the mediational effects that were hypothesized. Limitations and implications for this study are discussed, and directions for future research are suggested. This study was funded by the California Tobacco Related Disease Research Program.

Self-concept, attitude toward illness and family functioning in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

The primary objective of the present study was to assess self-concept in adolescents with type 1 diabetes, and to determine whether this is associated with attitudes toward having chronic disease, family functioning or severity of diabetes. The secondary objective was to assess the impact of family income, sex, age and age at diagnosis on adolescent self-concept. A cross-sectional, self-report survey of 48 adolescents with type 1 diabetes (22 boys and 26 girls; mean +/- SD age at time of study 15.2+/-1.7 years [range 12.2 to 18.0 years]; mean age at diagnosis 9.2+/-3.3 years [range 1.3 to 14.9 years]) was performed using the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept (PHCSC) scale, second edition; the Child Attitude Toward Illness Scale; and the Family Assessment Measure scale, version III. Demographic information including net family income and a symptom inventory form to assess disease severity was collected. Adolescents' self-concept measured by the PHCSC scale was significantly positively correlated with a more positive attitude toward chronic illness as measured by the Child Attitude Toward Illness Scale. The PHCSC scale was found to have a significant negative correlation with the Family Assessment Measure scale score, indicating that a better self-concept was correlated with enhanced family functioning. Self-concept was not significantly correlated with disease severity, income of family, sex, age at diagnosis, age at time of study, episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis or episodes of hypoglycemia. Adolescents with better self-concept had more positive attitudes toward their chronic illness and enhanced family functioning. Although no correlation with diabetes disease severity was seen in the study population, interventions aimed at improving adolescent self-concept may have a positive impact on diabetes treatment by improving attitude toward living with type 1 diabetes.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Child‐Adolescent Teasing Scale

This article presents the psychometric evaluation of the Child-Adolescent Teasing Scale (CATS), an instrument to be used as a screening measure with middle school students. A 70-item scale was initially derived from qualitative data obtained from focus groups comprised of middle school students. A diverse sample of participants (N=764) then completed the CATS and the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (PHCSCS); their mothers completed the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) and a demographic information form. A psychometric sample (N=666) without missing data was used for subsequent analyses. Principal components analysis resulted in a 32-item, 4-factor solution: Personality & Behavior Teasing (14 items), Family & Environment Teasing (7 items), School-Related Teasing (9 items), and Teasing About My Body (2 items). The standardized Cronbach's alpha for the final version was .94 and ranged from .83 to .90 for the subscales. The CATS's content validity, initially ascertained a priori by experts, was re-reviewed upon the instrument's refinement and supported. One-tailed t tests of mean differences between low- and high-scoring CATS groups on the PSC (t=-3.41, p<.03) and the PHCSCS (t=-11.39, p<.001) and supported the CATS's criterion-related validity. The 4-factor, 32-item CATS is psychometrically defensible and has demonstrated potential as a screening measure to identify students who are at risk from distressing teasing.

EFFECT OF HEALTH PROMOTION EDUCATION ON PRESENCE OF POSITIVE HEALTH BEHAVIORS, LEVEL OF ANXIETY AND SELF-CONCEPT

This experimental study was aimed at examining the effect of health promotion education on the presence of healthy behaviors, self-concept and level of anxiety in primary-school-age children. A total of 120 students were given one lesson a week for 10 weeks. Data collection tools used in the study were the Positive Health Behaviors Scale (Hester, 1984), the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (Piers &amp; Harris, 1969), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, 1973). The health promotion education given to the children was found to have a significant effect on their healthy behaviors and state-trait anxiety level but not on their self-concept.

Twins Have Slightly Higher Self-Concepts Than Singletons in the Elementary School Period: A Study of South Korean Twins and Singletons

The twin method assumes that the trait under study is similar in twins and singletons so that the results from twin samples can be generalized to the singleton population. The purpose of the present study was to compare self-concept in twins and singletons matched in parental level of education. The 6 cluster scales of the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (P-H) were administered to 630 singleton children and 635 twins aged 7 to 12 years. Model-fitting analyses yielded two conclusions. First, self-concept was generally similar between first- and second-born twins and between monozygotic and dizygotic twins across the 6 cluster scales of the P-H. Second, twins consistently exceeded singletons for all 6 cluster scales of the P-H. However, the effect sizes of differences between twins and singletons were small except for one scale, Physical Appearance and Attributes.