Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Children
Published on: April 29, 2013
Self-concept: comparison between school-aged children with congenital heart disease and normal school-aged children
Chi-Wen Chen1, Chung-Yi Li, Jou-Kou Wang
1Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University 510, Chung-Cheng Road, Hsin-Chuan, Taipei, Taiwan. Nurs1010@mails.fju.edu.tw
Aims And Objectives:
The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the self-concept of school-aged children with congenital heart disease to those of normal school-aged children. The primary objective was to analyse results of the Self-Concept Scale questionnaire administered to children with congenital heart disease aged 9-12 years. Sixty-four children with congenital heart disease (study group), and 71 without congenital heart disease (control group), completed the questionnaire.
Background:
Little attention has focused on school-aged children with congenital heart disease who are in the important stages of developing self-concept.
Results:
The mean score on the Physical self-concept of the Self-Concept Scale was significantly lower for the study group than the control group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between children with congenital heart disease and normal children in terms of family self-concept, school self-concept, appearance self-concept, emotional self-concept and general self-concept for the Self-Concept Scale.
Conclusions:
Nurses should use the study findings to encourage positive self-concept development and improve their patient education about physical activity before the child is discharged. Thus, children with congenital heart disease could leave the hospital with a clear understanding of their body and condition, and how it affects daily life.
Relevance To Clinical Practice:
The results of this study may provide more holistic views on self-concept for clinical nurses working with children who have congenital heart disease and their families and for school nurses working with elementary school children.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Concept
Infancy and Emerging Recognition
During infancy, self-concept is virtually nonexistent. Babies do not distinguish themselves as separate entities and often mistake their...
Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Understanding Self-Concept
