Self-concept and physical self-concept in psychiatric children and adolescents

Self-concept is a widely examined construct in the area of psychiatric disorders. This study compared the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) scores of adolescents with psychiatric disorders (N = 103) with the results of a matched group of non-clinical adolescents (N = 103). Self-concept and Physical self-concept were lower in the clinical than in the non-clinical group. Girls (N = 59) scored lower than boys (N = 44) in both groups. In the different diagnostic groups specific domains were affected in line with symptomatology, which has implications for therapy.

► We examined self-concept and physical self-concept in a group of psychiatric adolescents. ► Clinical adolescents scored lower than non-clinical ones. ► Girls scored lower than boys. ► No differences between long and short stay on a psychiatric unit. ► Differences in self-concept domains are in line with psychiatric symptomatology.