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Self-Esteem of 8–14-Year-Old Children with Psychiatric Disorders: Disorder- and Gender-Specific Effects

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Abstract

In this study, we investigated the relation between global and domain-specific self-esteem and psychiatric disorders. A sample of 577 children aged 8–14 years was recruited via psychiatric hospitals and from the general population. Parents were given a diagnostic interview to assess children’s psychiatric diagnoses (current/past). Parents and children completed questionnaires on child symptoms. Children completed a questionnaire on global and domain-specific self-esteem (scales: scholastic competence, social acceptance, athletic performance and physical appearance, global self-esteem). Self-esteem of children with current psychiatric disorders was lower than that of healthy controls (η 2p between 0.01 and 0.08). Concerning scholastic competence, social acceptance and global self-esteem, children with past psychiatric disorders scored also lower than healthy controls. Different current psychiatric disorders showed specific but small effects on dimensions of self-esteem (β between −0.08 and 0.19). Moreover, we found a gender × group interaction, indicating that girls with depressive and adjustment disorders were specifically impaired in their global self-esteem and perception of their physical appearance. Findings might help clinicians to focus on particular domains of self-esteem during the diagnostic process and to define adequate treatment goals.

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Acknowledgments

This publication is supported by LIFE-Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Universität Leipzig. LIFE is funded by means of the European Union, by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and by means of the Free State of Saxony within the framework of the Excellence Initiative.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LIFE – Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

    Stephanie Stadelmann, Madlen Grunewald, Charlotte Gibbels, Sonia Jaeger, Tina Matuschek, Steffi Weis, Andreas Hiemisch, Kai von Klitzing & Mirko Döhnert

  2. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Stephanie Stadelmann, Madlen Grunewald, Sonia Jaeger, Tina Matuschek, Steffi Weis, Annette Maria Klein, Kai von Klitzing & Mirko Döhnert

  3. University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

    Andreas Hiemisch

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Stadelmann, S., Grunewald, M., Gibbels, C. et al. Self-Esteem of 8–14-Year-Old Children with Psychiatric Disorders: Disorder- and Gender-Specific Effects. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 48, 40–52 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-016-0651-6

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