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The relationship between self-esteem and psychiatric disorders in adolescents

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

M.S. Guillon
Affiliation:
Centre hospitalier, BP 29, 68250Rouffach, France
P.E. Bailey
Affiliation:
Centre hospitalier, BP 29, 68250Rouffach, France
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Abstract

Objective

To examine the relationship between self-esteem and psychiatric disorders in adolescents.

Methods

Seventy-six adolescents (mean age: 16.02 years; range: 12-20) treated in an inpatient unit and presenting with DSM-IV psychotic disorder, depressive disorder, anxious disorder, anorexia nervosa, personality disorder, or conduct disorder were compared with a control group of 119 adolescents drawn from a normal population. All the subjects were assessed with the French translation of the Coopersmith self-esteem inventory (SEI).

Results

Self-esteem was significantly higher in the control than in the clinical population (P = 0.0001). Female patients showed significantly lower SEI scores than male patients. Self-esteem increased significantly after 12 weeks in patients with a first psychotic episode who responded successfully to antipsychotic drug treatment. In the clinical group, a history of suicide attempts and sexual abuse was associated with significantly lower SEI scores. Lack of boy- or girlfriend, dropping out of school, and social withdrawal were also associated with lower self-esteem.

Conclusions

The presence of a psychiatric disorder in adolescents is associated with decreased self-esteem. This decrease in self-esteem varies according to the psychiatric disorder. Appropriate treatment can enhance self-esteem in adolescent patients.

Type
Original article
Copyright
Copyright © Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS 2002

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