SELF-ESTEEM IN HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN AND ADOLES-CENTS
Kalliopi Fragkou, Maria Polikandrioti, Afroditi Zartaloudi, Chrisoula Dafogianni, Ioannis Koutelekos
Monday, July 1, 2024
Publication year:
2024
Authors:
- Fragkou Kalliopi, Postgraduate Study Program Applied Clinical Nursing, specializations: “Pediatric Nurs-ing”, Department of Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
- Polikandrioti Maria, Assistant Professor,Department of Nursing,Technological Educational Institute of Athens
- Zartaloudi Afroditi, Lecturer, Department of Nursing, TEI of Athens
- Dafogianni Chrisoula, MSc in Applied Clinical Nursing, University of West Attica, Department of Nursing, Athens, Greece
- Koutelekos Ioannis, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Nursing A',Technological Educational Institute of Athens
Keywords index:
Pages: 290-306
Abstract:
Introduction: Self-esteem of children and adolescents is a fundamental factor for their psychosocial development and well-being. It determines the way in which children and adolescents perceive themselves, significantly influencing their behavior, interpersonal relationships and mental health. The period of childhood and adolescence is characterized by intense changes, which make self-esteem crucial for smooth adaptation and development. The purpose of the present study was to explore the self-esteem of hospitalized children and adolescents and the associated factors. Material and method: The study was carried out on a sample of 220 hospitalized children and adolescents aged 9-18 years, who were admitted to public pediatric hospital in Attica in the period 2025. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used for data collection, which included the characteristics of both hospitalized children, adolescents and their parents. Results: The self-esteem of the sample ranged from moderate to high levels (MT=30.3±4.9, Median=31). Regarding the causes of hospitalization, pneumonia was the most common cause of admission, recorded in 33 cases (15.0%), followed by gastroenteritis in 24 cases (10.9%), fainting 21 cases (9.5%), type I diabetes mellitus in 20 (9.1%) and urinary tract infection with 13 cases (5.9%). The factors that showed a statistically significant correlation with the levels of self-esteem of hospitalized children and adolescents were the mother's profession (p=0.048), the parents' educational level (father: p=0.027, mother: p=0.002), as well as the type of insurance coverage (p=0.011). Conclusions: Demographic and clinical factors influence the level of self-esteem of children and adolescents. Strengthening self-esteem at these ages contributes to the formation of a healthy personality.
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