Children's Self-perceptions Research Articles

Effects of Home Access to Active Videogames on Child Self-Esteem, Enjoyment of Physical Activity, and Anxiety Related to Electronic Games: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Active-input videogames could provide a useful conduit for increasing physical activity by improving a child's self-confidence, physical activity enjoyment, and reducing anxiety. Therefore this study evaluated the impact of (a) the removal of home access to traditional electronic games or (b) their replacement with active-input videogames, on child self-perception, enjoyment of physical activity, and electronic game use anxiety. This was a crossover, randomized controlled trial, conducted over a 6-month period in participants' family homes in metropolitan Perth, Australia, from 2007 to 2010. Children 10-12 years old were recruited through school and community media. Of 210 children who were eligible, 74 met inclusion criteria, and 8 withdrew, leaving 66 children (33 girls) for analysis. A counterbalanced randomized order of three conditions sustained for 8 weeks each: No home access to electronic games, home access to traditional electronic games, and home access to active-input electronic games. Perception of self-esteem (Harter's Self Perception Profile for Children), enjoyment of physical activity (Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale questionnaire), and anxiety toward electronic game use (modified Loyd and Gressard Computer Anxiety Subscale) were assessed. Compared with home access to traditional electronic games, neither removal of all electronic games nor replacement with active-input games resulted in any significant change to child self-esteem, enjoyment of physical activity, or anxiety related to electronic games. Although active-input videogames have been shown to be enjoyable in the short term, their ability to impact on psychological outcomes is yet to be established.

Evaluation of Child Self-perception Regarding Their Oro-dental Status

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the state of oral health and the self-perception of children regarding their oro-dental status, their knowledge and attitude towards oral health. Methods: A sample of 130 children (11-14 years) and one of their parents were asked to complete a Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ11-14) in Sfântu Gheorghe, Romania. From these, 69 children were examined and data was recorded about Decayed-Missing-Filled Teeth (DMFT), oral hygiene, dental malposition and malocclusion, Aesthetic Component of Index of Treatment Need (AC-IOTN). Consent of the parents was obtained. Statistical analyses were performed. Results: The optimal score of CPQ evaluation is 96 and the maximum score achieved was 93, the minimum was 43. 78.10 average score can be graded as medium. As the data points out, most of the children and their parents have a medium knowledge and self-perception. The clinical examination underline the main problems: dental caries (62%), occlusal coloration (23%), dental malposition (17%), rooftop deep bite (14%), dental rotation and crowding (12%), dental plaque and tartar (10%). As far as the AC-IOTN is concerned, 48 of 69 children have no need for treatment, 18 have a high need for treatment, and 3 have a moderate need for treatment. Conclusions: Overall, the children and their parents have a poor oral health knowledge, which is reflected in the medium level of the achieved CPQ scores, in the clinical examination and can be associated with high levels of dental caries and malocclusion

Classroom context, teacher expectations, and cognitive level: Predicting children's math ability judgments

Classroom practices that make ability differences salient communicate differential teacher expectations for students. This study reports on a new observational tool for measuring Classroom Ability-based Practices (CAP) and explores how young children's self-perceptions of ability in mathematics are related to their teachers' expectations for them and to their cognitive reasoning skills in classrooms that vary in usage of such ability-differentiated practices. The sample consisted of 193 children and their teachers in 15 first grade classrooms. The CAP was a reliable measure of ability-based differential teacher treatment and showed criterion validity as a moderator variable in predicting children's ability perceptions. In highly ability-differentiating classrooms, children's self-ratings were more congruent with teachers' expectations of students' mathematics ability. Also in highly ability-differentiating classrooms, higher cognitive levels predicted lower self-ability ratings in math. These findings extend our understanding of the social and cognitive factors that shape young children's self-judgments of math competence.

Comparing the Boys’ and Girls’ Self-esteem in the Less Educated and Educated Families

The education of parents is linked to their children's educational attainment and self-esteem. Educated families’ greater influence in household negotiations may allow securing more resources for children. On the other hand, the first self-perception of children is a complex perception that is derived from others’ reactions. The purpose of this study was to compare the boys’ and girls’ self-esteem in the less educated and educated families. Purposive sampling which is applied in this study to include children from a poor and ignorant neighborhood Kindergartens and Kindergarten's Employees. Samples included 16 boys and 18 girls from ignorant families, 18 males and 16 females from families with high levels and age between4-6 years. The study was conducted by using a structured interview. The interview's questions are taken from Pope Self-esteem Test. The results of multi-variable analysis of variance revealed that there is not any significant relationship between parents’ literacy and their boys’ and girls’ self-esteem. The research demonstrated that there were no differences between boys’ and girls’ self-esteem and their families’ literacy.

Relationship Between Camp Attendance and Self-Perceptions in Children With Chronic Health Conditions: A Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis examined the association between camp attendance and changes in self-perceptions in children with chronic health conditions. Studies using quantitative methods to assess changes in self-perceptions while attending camps designed for children with chronic health conditions were included in analyses. A random-effects model was used, and Cohen's d was used to calculate effect sizes at both post-camp and follow-up. Some potential moderators of effects were examined (i.e., type of measure of self-perceptions, children's chronic health condition, camp components). 31 studies were included in the analyses. Children experienced small, but statistically significant, improvements in self-perceptions at both post-camp (d = .25, 95% CI [.16-.34]) and extended follow-up (d = .15, 95% CI [.05-.26]). This relationship was moderated by type of measure of self-perceptions and child health condition. Camp attendance is associated with small improvements in self-perceptions for children with some chronic health conditions.

The effect of delay and individual differences on children's tendency to guess.

Few researchers have investigated the factors that influence children's tendency to indicate correctly when they do not know the answer to a question. In this study, 5- to 8-year-olds witnessed a staged event in their classroom and were subsequently interviewed about that event either the following day or after 5 months. Some of the questions were answerable based on the information in the event, and some were unanswerable such that children would have had to guess to provide an answer. Individual-difference measures were taken of children's verbal ability and self-perceptions. Delay, verbal ability, and children's self-perceptions all affected whether children correctly indicated when they did not know the answer to a question.

Understanding the perceptions of children battling cancer about self and others through drawing

Background:Childhood cancer is a stressful experience and may cause a change in the child's perception of himself/ herself, the family and the world around him/ her.Aims:This study sought to (a) explore the self-perception of children; and (b) examine the relation of children with others.Materials and Methods:The total population of the study consisted of all the children, undergoing cancer treatment at Children Cancer Hospital, located in Karachi. The participants were asked to draw a drawing on self and others. Through qualitative approach (phenomenology), themes and sub-themes were derived.Results:Using purposive sampling, the total sample size drawn for this study was 78 children aged 7-12, receiving treatment for cancer (1st stage) at the Children Cancer Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. The drawings of the children were categorized into facial expressions, self images and family ties. Within each category, there were sub-categories. Under facial expressions, the common emotions reflected were sadness, seriousness, anger; and pain. The self-image pictures uniformly reflected low self-esteem, especially focusing on hair loss, missing body parts. Under the category of family ties, most of the children's drawings reflected their isolation or emotional detachment from or abandonment by their family members.Conclusions:The study concludes that the self- image of most of the participants is deteriorated and they are socially isolated. Social and moral support can bring positive emotional development and helps to correct their self-perception.

Understanding the Perceptions of Children Battling Cancer About Self and Others Through Drawing

Childhood cancer is a stressful experience and may cause a change in the child's perception of himself/ herself, the family and the world around him/her. This study sought to (a) explore the self-perception of children; and (b) examine the relation of children with others. The total population of the study consisted of all the children, undergoing cancer treatment at Children Cancer Hospital, located in Karachi. The participants were asked to draw a drawing on self and others. Through qualitative approach (phenomenology), themes and sub-themes were derived. Using purposive sampling, the total sample size drawn for this study was 78 children aged 7-12, receiving treatment for cancer (1st stage) at the Children Cancer Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. The drawings of the children were categorized into facial expressions, self images and family ties. Within each category, there were sub-categories. Under facial expressions, the common emotions reflected were sadness, seriousness, anger; and pain. The self-image pictures uniformly reflected low self-esteem, especially focusing on hair loss, missing body parts. Under the category of family ties, most of the children's drawings reflected their isolation or emotional detachment from or abandonment by their family members. The study concludes that the self- image of most of the participants is deteriorated and they are socially isolated. Social and moral support can bring positive emotional development and helps to correct their self-perception.

Correlações entre Dimensões da Qualidade das Amizades e Autopercepção em Crianças

No presente estudo foram examinadas correlações entre dimensões qualitativas da amizade e da autopercepção em crianças de 9 a 13 anos de idade. Os dados derivaram de dois questionários aplicados a 158 crianças (52,5% meninos) em duas escolas públicas. Os resultados indicaram que: a) crianças que identificam nas suas relações de amizade uma fonte de apoio tendem a se perceber acadêmica e atleticamente competentes e bem aceitas socialmente; b) crianças que encontram nas amizades um espaço privilegiado para resolver conflitos e buscar intimidade e validação de seus sentimentos também têm percepções positivas acerca de si mesmas, e c) o gênero e a idade da criança tiveram influências diferenciadas nas dimensões da qualidade das amizades e da autopercepção.Palavras-chave: dimensões qualitativas da amizade; autopercepção; bem-estar social e psicológico de crianças.

The effects of playground markings on the physical self-perceptions of 10–11-year-old school children

Background: Significant proportions of school children in the UK do not meet the minimum recommended daily requirements of 60-min moderate-intensity physical activity. Beyond taught classes, playtimes offer the opportunity for children to play and be physically active. Painted markings are one recent addition to school playgrounds that are inexpensive and have been shown to stimulate increased levels of physical activity among children during playtimes. Playground markings and supportive playground assistants can act as cues to increase physical activity.Purpose: While evidence exists to support the impact of playground markings on the levels of physical activity, no attempts have been made to assess the effects of playground markings on important indicators of psychological health such as self-esteem and physical self-concept. The way children view themselves from a physical perspective is likely to impact their future engagement in sport and physical activities. Given that the levels of physical activity have been found to be related to physical self-perceptions and self-esteem, and playground markings appear to facilitate increased physical activity, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of installing playground markings and training playground assistants on children's physical self-perceptions.Participants and setting: Participants were 218 primary school children (117 girls and 101 boys) aged 10 and 11 years. Informed consent was gained from all schools, and parents were given the choice to withdraw their child from the project before commencement of testing. Twelve schools received playground markings, while four further schools acted as controls. Playground assistants were trained to help facilitate use of markings by children. Playground markings consisted of painted lines and boxes.Data collection: The participants completed the Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile under the supervision of trained research assistants. The behaviour of the children was also observed during the morning and lunch playtime periods prior to the installation of playground markings and again 8 months after installation. The System for Observing Children's Activity and Relationships during Play was used to assess playtime behaviour with 242 observations in total undertaken. Every sixth child to enter the playground was randomly observed for 10 min.Data analysis: Mixed-model ANOVAs were used to test for differences in physical self-perceptions of the children on the basis of intervention and over time. Percentage changes in observed physical activity and pro-social behaviours were calculated to determine differences between schools that received markings and those that did not.Findings: No significant differences were found in physical self-perceptions on the basis of intervention or over time. However, boys did report significantly higher perceptions of sport competence, physical conditioning, physical strength and physical self-worth than girls. Observed physical activity was found to increase by 7.5% in schools that received markings as opposed to a 7.7% decline in control schools. In addition, pro-social behaviours were found to increase by 6.7% following the installation of playground markings.Conclusion: These findings indicate that while playground markings can facilitate increased physical activity during playtimes, this does not translate into enhanced self-perceptions in children when evaluated 8 months after intervention.

Self‐Concept in Youth with Congenital Facial Differences: Development and Recommendations for Medical Providers

Congenital facial differences may impact a child's self-perception, activities and valuation, and what has been termed their "self-concept." This article reviews what constitutes self-concept, and its development during childhood and adolescence. The literature examining the role of physical appearance, specifically congenital facial differences on individuals' perceptions of self are reviewed in the context of psychosocial development. Positive self-concept can impact healthy behaviors, positive interactions with peers, and academic achievement. The role of mental health professionals in evaluating self-concept and objective measures of self-concept are discussed, and recommendations are made to assist medical practitioners regarding monitoring and encouragement of positive self-concept in children with congenital facial differences.

The mediating effects of perceived parental teasing on relations of body mass index to depression and self‐perception of physical appearance and global self‐worth in children

To report a correlational study of the relation of body mass index to children's perceptions of physical appearance and global self-worth and depression, as mediated by their perceptions of parental teasing. The relation between depression and self-perception in children with obesity has been reported. Recently, parental factors were found to be related to childhood obesity. Little is known about the effects of perceived parental teasing on depression and self-perception in children. A descriptive correlational research design was used. Data were collected from 455 children in the fifth and sixth grades in four provinces of South Korea using self-report questionnaires for measuring self-perception of physical appearance and global self-worth, depression and perceived parental teasing between October-December in 2009. The children's weight and height information from school health records was used. Multiple regression analysis and the Sobel test were used to identify the mediating effect of perceived parental teasing. Among the children, 20% were overweight or obese. Although children with obesity did not differ in the level of depression from their normal weight counterparts, they demonstrated lower perceived physical appearance and higher perceived parental teasing. The mediating effects of perceived parental teasing were found for the relations between body mass index and self-perception of physical appearance and global self-worth, and body mass index and depression, respectively. Obese children at risk of parental teasing should be identified to prevent their psychological problems. A well-designed intervention study is necessary to examine the effects of psycho-emotional interventions for obese children.

The influence of oral health conditions, socioeconomic status and home environment factors on schoolchildren's self-perception of quality of life

BackgroundThe objective this study was to investigate the influence of clinical conditions, socioeconomic status, home environment, subjective perceptions of parents and schoolchildren about general and oral health on schoolchildren's oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).MethodsA sample of 515 schoolchildren, aged 12 years was randomly selected by conglomerate analysis from public and private schools in the city of Juiz de Fora, Brazil. The schoolchildren were clinically examined for presence of caries lesions (DMFT and dmft index), dental trauma, enamel defects, periodontal status (presence/absence of bleeding), dental treatment and orthodontic treatment needs (DAI). The SiC index was calculated. The participants were asked to complete the Brazilian version of Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11-14) and a questionnaire about home environment. Questions were asked about the presence of general diseases and children's self-perception of their general and oral health status. In addition, a questionnaire was sent to their parents inquiring about their socioeconomic status (family income, parents' education level, home ownership) and perceptions about the general and oral health of their school-aged children. The chi-square test was used for comparisons between proportions. Poisson's regression was used for multivariate analysis with adjustment for variances.ResultsUnivariate analysis revealed that school type, monthly family income, mother's education, family structure, number of siblings, use of cigarettes, alcohol and drugs in the family, parents' perception of oral health of schoolchildren, schoolchildren's self perception their general and oral health, orthodontic treatment needs were significantly associated with poor OHRQoL (p < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, variables were included in a Multivariate Poisson regression. It was found that the variables children's self perception of their oral health status, monthly family income, gender, orthodontic treatment need, mother's education, number of siblings, and household overcrowding showed a strong negative effect on oral health-related quality of life.ConclusionsIt was concluded that the clinical, socioeconomic and home environment factors evaluated exerted a negative impact on the oral health-related quality of life of schoolchildren, demonstrating the importance of health managers addressing all these factors when planning oral health promotion interventions for this population.

Can children with ADHD be motivated to reduce bias in self-reports of competence?

Our purpose in the current study was to examine whether children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comparison children, if adequately motivated, are able to purposefully match their teachers' ratings of competence in multiple domains and whether any reductions in self-perceptual bias normalize self-views in relation to comparison children's self-perceptions. Participants included children with ADHD (n = 178) and comparison children (n = 86), between 7 and 12 years of age. The majority of participants were Caucasian (81.4%) and male (77.3%). Primary measures included the Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC; Harter, 1985), which was administered during a baseline assessment. In a subsequent session, children completed the SPPC twice more following instructions to first attempt to match their teachers' ratings of competence and then following the offer of an incentive for matching their teachers' ratings. Repeated measures analyses of covariance were conducted with between- and within-subjects factors. Significant reductions in 2 of 3 domains (scholastic, behavioral conduct) were found for children with ADHD. No reductions were found across domains for comparison children or in the social domain for children with ADHD. Across conditions, the amount of bias exhibited by children with ADHD was never normalized in relation to comparison children's ratings. Explicit instructions to match teacher ratings of competence and implementation of incentives were only partially effective in reducing the biased self-perceptions of children with ADHD. Results suggest that children with ADHD, on average, cannot view themselves in a completely unbiased fashion, rather than that they will not do so, although self-protection clearly plays a partial role.

Self-perception in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

The Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder reflected by significant deficits in multiple domains, interfering with the self-perception and self-esteem of children. However, international studies that assess the relationship between ADHD and self-perception have come to contradictory results, and, in Portugal, this is still a little investigated subject. The present work aims to assess the self-perception in different areas (scholastic competence, athletic competence, physical appearance, behaviour and social acceptance) in children with ADHD, comparing them with a control group. This study also tries to analyze whether the subtype of ADHD could interfere differently with the self-perception. We studied 43 children who had a clinical diagnosis of ADHD and 59 children without this diagnosis. Children with ADHD were divided into different subtypes in view of the revised Conners Scales (Portuguese version). The children completed the Self-Perception Profile for Children. From the analysis of averages comparison, it was found that the group of children with ADHD showed lower values in the different domains of self-perception, with a statistically significant difference in scholastic and behaviour self-perceptions. Regarding the different subtypes of ADHD, the results were not statistically significant, but indicated that children perceive themselves differently depending on the subtype. This discrepancy was most evident in scholastic competence where children predominantly inattentive considered themselves less able than the others. In this study, as in the international literature, children with ADHD have an scholastic and behavioural self-perception statistically inferior to other children of the same age, needing every possible support for a healthy emotional development.

Negative correlation between body mass index category and physical activity perceptions in children

Children's physical activity (PA) choices are influenced by their perceived ability (adequacy) and inclination toward (predilection) PA. The study's purpose was to determine the association of body mass index (BMI) category with PA perceptions in sixth-grade children. A total of 267 children (119 boys, 148 girls; age 11+ y; ht 1.53 SD 0.08 m; wt 49.0 SD 13.5 kg; BMI 20.7 SD 4.8) provided informed consent and completed the study. All were measured for body weight and height and completed the Children's Self-perceptions of Adequacy in and Predilection for Physical Activity (CSAPPA) scale. Spearman rank-order correlation analysis was conducted between total CSAPPA score (and three factor scores of adequacy, predilection, and enjoyment) and BMI category relative to gender, body weight classification and for all children. A significant negative correlation was identified between BMI category (p < 0.01) and CSAPPA total, adequacy, and predilection score for all children. Girls (but not boys) showed significant negative correlation between BMI category and all CSAPPA scores. A significant negative correlation in BMI category and PA perceptions exists in children, with the relationship being stronger in girls. Children with increased BMI may have adverse perceptions of PA and risks for sedentary behavior.

Self‐assessed oral health, cognitive vulnerability and dental anxiety in children: testing a mediational model

To explain the association between children's self-perceived oral health status and dental anxiety, by considering their levels of cognitive vulnerability. Participants were 161 children (47.8% female; mean age = 11.93 years) who filled in a questionnaire comprising self-assessed oral health-related status, dental treatment-related cognitive vulnerability and dental anxiety measures. Gender, age and number of decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth were controlled for. Bivariate correlations, hierarchical regression analyses and structural equation modelling were conducted to test the hypotheses. Subjective oral health status, cognitive vulnerability variables and dental anxiety were strongly correlated. Regression and structural models testing the mediating effects of cognitive vulnerability variables on the relationship between perceived oral health and dental anxiety were supported. The activation of the cognitive vulnerability schema, as a mediating variable, is a mechanism by means of which children's self-perceptions of a poor oral health might lead to dental anxiety. Both components of vulnerability analysed (threat and disgust) contribute decisively to this potential process.

Can Teachers Identify Children Who Need More Help to be Physically Active?

Background and aims: Identifying primary school children who are not sufficiently active will permit timely intervention by parents, schools and healthcare professionals. This study aims to investigate the accuracy of teachers' ratings of children's body size and barriers to participation in physical activities. Methods: Teachers rated body shape in 1021 children aged 9-11 using the Child Body Image Scale (consisting of representations of boys and girls at different weight centiles). They also indicated if the child lacked confidence during P.E. lessons or, in contrast, could be considered ‘sporty’. Children rated their willingness to engage in physical activity using the Predilection sub-scale of the Children's Self-Perceptions of Adequacy in and Predilection toward Physical Activity scale (CSAPPA). Results: Teachers identified 161 children (16%) in whom they felt low confidence was a barrier to exercise and these children had significantly lower scores on the predilection subscale of the CSAPPA (p< 0.001). Children rated as sporty by teachers, in contrast, had significantly higher scores on the CSAPPA (p< 0.001). Seventy-two children were rated above the 75th centile, 29 boys and 43 girls. Consent was obtained to measure actual weight and height in 176 children (74 boys; 102 girls). A strong agreement was found between teacher ratings of centiles and child BMI in both boys (ICC=0.85; p< 0.001) and girls (ICC=0.89; p< 0.001). Conclusions: Teacher identification of children who are overweight and have low confidence is both feasible and valid enabling targeted interventions to be tailored to the school setting.

Self-perception of children and adolescents with Möbius sequence

Möbius sequence is a rare congenital disorder usually defined as a combination of facial weakness with impairment of ocular abduction. Some studies suggest that psychosocial and psychiatric problems might be increased among affected persons. So far, there have been no studies on the self-perception of children and adolescents with the sequence. Seventeen participants with Möbius sequence (9 male, 8 female) aged 9-15 (mean: 11.59) years were studied. None of the probands was mentally retarded or had a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Participants filled out well standardized German questionnaires on depression (Depressionsinventar für Kinder und Jugendliche [DIKJ]), anxiety (Angstfragebogen für Schüler [AFS]) and personality aspects (Persönlichkeitsfragebogen für Kinder von 9-14 Jahren [PFK 9-14]). Additionally, their primary caregivers were asked to complete a special questionnaire to compile the probands' personal, somatic and psychosocial history as well as the German version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Parent Form [SDQ-Deu]. According to the participants' self-perception only one girl scored clinical (t-score ≥ 63) for manifest anxiety [AFS] and depression [DIKJ] (5.9% vs. 10% in the general population). Moreover, the whole sample reported significantly lower test anxiety (p=0.000) and manifest anxiety (p=0.005) [AFS] whereas general anxiety as a personality aspect [PFK 9-14] did not differ from the normative sample. Compared to normative data, subjects expressed significantly less depression (p=0.023) and impulsivity (p=0.042). One out of 17 subjects was rated abnormal for total problems on the SDQ-Deu (5.9% vs. 10% of the normative sample), five participants scored abnormal for social problems (29.4%) and three for emotional problems (17.6%). Social problems correlated significantly with the probands' age (rho=0.707; p=0.002). As Möbius patients have severe difficulties with facial expression of feelings, and others might therefore falsely recognize them as serious or even depressed, the subjects' self-perception is crucial for assessment and diagnosis, especially if it differs considerably from that of the primary caregivers.

A cognitive behavioral based group intervention for children with a chronic illness and their parents: a multicentre randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundCoping with a chronic illness (CI) challenges children's psychosocial functioning and wellbeing. Cognitive-behavioral intervention programs that focus on teaching the active use of coping strategies may prevent children with CI from developing psychosocial problems. Involvement of parents in the intervention program may enhance the use of learned coping strategies in daily life, especially on the long-term. The primary aim of the present study is to examine the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral based group intervention (called 'Op Koers') [1] for children with CI and of a parallel intervention for their parents. A secondary objective is to investigate why and for whom this intervention works, in order to understand the underlying mechanisms of the intervention effect.Methods/designThis study is a multicentre randomized controlled trial. Participants are children (8 to 18 years of age) with a chronic illness, and their parents, recruited from seven participating hospitals in the Netherlands. Participants are randomly allocated to two intervention groups (the child intervention group and the child intervention combined with a parent program) and a wait-list control group. Primary outcomes are child psychosocial functioning, wellbeing and child disease related coping skills. Secondary outcomes are child quality of life, child general coping skills, child self-perception, parental stress, quality of parent-child interaction, and parental perceived vulnerability. Outcomes are evaluated at baseline, after 6 weeks of treatment, and at a 6 and 12-month follow-up period. The analyses will be performed on the basis of an intention-to-treat population.DiscussionThis study evaluates the effectiveness of a group intervention improving psychosocial functioning in children with CI and their parents. If proven effective, the intervention will be implemented in clinical practice. Strengths and limitations of the study design are discussed.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN60919570