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Self-esteem in children after traumatic brain injury: an exploratory study
1Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK. c.a.hawley@warwick.ac.uk
Neurorehabilitation
|May 29, 2012
Summary
Children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) often experience low self-esteem, closely linked to anxiety and depression. Routine assessment and rehabilitation strategies are recommended to improve self-worth after brain injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) face adjustment challenges and altered abilities.
- Low self-esteem and confidence issues are common but understudied in pediatric TBI.
- Early intervention is crucial for psychosocial well-being post-TBI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure self-esteem in children two years post-TBI.
- To compare self-esteem with cognitive, emotional, and behavioral measures.
- To identify factors associated with self-esteem in pediatric TBI.
Main Methods:
- 96 children with TBI and 31 controls participated.
- Self-esteem assessed using the Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory (CSEI).
- Compared CSEI scores with Wechsler Intelligence Scales, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Children's Memory Scale, Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, and Parental Stress Index.
Main Results:
- Self-esteem strongly correlated with IQ, anxiety, depression, and parental stress (p<0.001).
- Children with TBI showed significantly lower self-esteem than controls and population norms (p=0.015).
- Low self-esteem in TBI is linked to increased anxiety and depression.
Conclusions:
- Many children with TBI exhibit low self-esteem, impacting academic performance and psychosocial adjustment.
- Low self-esteem is closely associated with anxiety and depression in this population.
- Routine self-esteem assessment and targeted rehabilitation are recommended following pediatric TBI.
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