Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics

The Korean Pediatric Society (대한소아청소년과학회)
권호 표지

The Relationship between the Perception of Height andSelf-Esteem in Children

소아의 키에 대한 인식과 우울 성향과의 관계

Kim, Mi-Jin;No, Yeong-Il;Yang, Eun-Seok;Mun, Gyeong-Rae;Park, Sang-Gi;Park, Yeong-Bong;Kim, Eun-Yeong
김미진;노영일;양은석;문경래;박상기;박영봉;김은영

  • Published : 20040000
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Purpose:The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavioral and affective characteristics of children who thought they were short. Methods:Fifteen hundred and twenty-two students of four elementary and middle schools in Gwangju City completed a battery of questionnaires asking about stature-related stress, self-esteem, and personality characteristics. The children were divided into three groups and compared according to their answers:group I(who thought they were short, n=466), group II(who thought their heights were normal, n=802), and group III(who thought they were tall, n=254). The degree of depression was calculated using Korean Kovasc's Children's Depression Inventory. Results:Four hundred and sixty-six children(30%) thought they were short. Thirty-two percent of children in group I thought that they were short although their heights were above 50 percentile. Only two percent of children that thought themselves to be short answered that they compared their height with the standard value. Twenty-seven percent of children were not satisfied with their height. No statistically significant difference of depression score was found between males and females. There were statistically significant differences of the depression score according to age(P< 0.05). The average depression scores of the three groups were 15.7$\pm$6.4, 13.6$\pm$6.8, and 12.6$\pm$6.3 respectively(P<0.05). In group I, no significant differences were found in depression score between the subgroups classified according to the standard height distribution. The depression score in the group of those dissatisfied with their height was significantly high(P<0.05). Conclusion:Correct perceptions of their height are needed for children's psychiatric healthcare. Continuous medical and psychological guidance is therefore recommended. (Korean J Pediatr 2004; 47:258-263)

Keywords

References

  1. Young-Hyman D. Effects of short stature on social competence. In:Stabler B, Underwood L, eds. Slow grows the child. London:Erlbaum, 1986:27-45
  2. Holmes CS, Thompson RG, Hayford JT. Patient' and teacher' differing views of short children's behaviour. Child Care Health Dev 1982;8:3
  3. Holmes CS, Thompson RG, Hayford JT. Factors related to grade retention in children with short stature. Child Care Health Dev 1984;10:159-210
  4. Wiklund I, Albertsson-Wikland K, Wiren L. How should the psychosocial impact of short stature and response to growth hormone treatment be assesed in children? Acta Paediatr Scand 1991;377:174-5
  5. Allen KD, Warzak WJ, Greger NG, Bernotas TD, Huseman CA. Psychosocial adjustment of children with isolated growth hormone deficiency. Child Care Health Dev 1993;22: 61-72
  6. Larson MR. Social desirability and self-reported weight and height. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2000;24:663-5
  7. Cho SC, Lee YS. Development of the Korean form of the Kovacs' Children's Depression Inventory. J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc 1990;29:943-55
  8. Rieser PA. Educational, psychologic, and social aspects of short stature. J Pediatr Health Care 1992;6:325-32
  9. Wake M, Coghlan D, Hesketh K. Does height influence progression through primary school grades? Arch Dis Child 2000;82:297-301
  10. Kaselman A, Martinez A, Pantano L, Bergada C, Heinrich JJ. Psychosocial outcome in growth hormone deficient patients diagnosed during childhood. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2000;13:409-16
  11. Lagrou K, Xhrouet-Heinrichs D, Massa G, Vandeweghe M, Bourguignon JP, De Schepper J, et al. Ouality of life retrospective perception of the effect of growth hormone treatment in adult patients with childhood growth hormone deficiency. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2001;14 Suppl 5:1249-60
  12. Hunt L, Hazen RA, Sandberg DE. Perceived versus measured height. Which is the stronger predictor of psychosocial functioning? Horm Res 2000;53:129-38
  13. Siegel PT, Clopper R, Stabler B. Psychological impact of significantly short stature. Acta Paediatr Scand 1991;377 Suppl 1:14-8
  14. Zimet GD, Cutler M, Litvene M, Owens R, Dahms W, Cuttler L. Psychological adjustment of children evaluated for short stature:a preliminary report. J Dev Behav Pediatr 1995;16:264-70
  15. Molinari E, Sartori A, Ceccarelli A, Marchi S. Psychological and emotional development, intellectual capabilities, and body image in short normal children. J Endocrinol Invest 2002;25:321-8
  16. Wygold T. Psychosocial adaptation to short stature - an indication for growth hormone therapy? Horm Res 2002;58 Suppl 3:20-3