[Aspect of body image in physically disabled youth]

The following study compares body awareness and body satisfaction of physically handicapped and normal adolescents. In addition the correlations between self image were investigated in the group of handicapped adolescents. The comparison showed handicapped youths to have more negative body image. The handycap-associated differences between the 2 groups were paralleled by equally significant gender-associated differences within the group of handicapped adolescents. The differences are similiar to ones described in the literature as typical for normal adolescents. No evidence was found of minimizing or disavowing the illness or of shame for the handicapped body. Instead, a strong wish for contact with healthy youths was evident. The results of the study underline the importance of body-associated psychotherapeutic intervention supplementing the many therapeutic measures of handicapped adolescence.