Page 53 - Petelin, Ana, et al. Eds. 2019. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of Children and Adolescents. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo / Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 53
importance of self-image and self-esteem in relation psihosocialno zdravje v otroštvu in v mladosti | psychosocial health in childhood and youth
to eating disorders
Nika Bajda1, Maša Černelič Bizjak2
1Centre for Social Work Zasavje, Unit Trbovlje, Mestni trg 5a, 1420 Trbovlje,
Slovenia
2University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
Introduction: The age at which children and adolescents are starting to suf-
fer from an eating disorder is getting lower every day. Two of the most signifi-
cant psychosocial factors are self-image and self-esteem. The most critical age
for developing self-esteem is that of the very first years of a child's life. Thus, it
is necessary to early, i.e. during the institutional day care, recognize the prob-
lems connected with a child's poor self-image and self-esteem. The aim of the
study was to highlight the problems of low self-image and self-esteem in rela-
tion to eating disorders.
Method: The sample included 30 female participants. For the purpose of da-
ta collection we applied a semi-structured interview and three standardized
questionnaires in connection with self-image and self-esteem.
Results: The results obtained in our sample show that compared with acces-
sible norms people suffering from eating disorders achieve lower average re-
sults concerning general self-image, emotional stability, peer relationships of
the same or opposite gender and parental relationships.
Discussion and conclusions: The research supports the importance of primary
prevention in the field of eating disorders. Already during institutional day care
closest attention should be paid precisely to the traits of self-image and self-es-
teem in children, i.e. to self-liking, general self-image, emotional stability and
importance of relationships.
Keywords: personality and psychological traits, eating disorders, self-image,
self-esteem, prevention
51
to eating disorders
Nika Bajda1, Maša Černelič Bizjak2
1Centre for Social Work Zasavje, Unit Trbovlje, Mestni trg 5a, 1420 Trbovlje,
Slovenia
2University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
Introduction: The age at which children and adolescents are starting to suf-
fer from an eating disorder is getting lower every day. Two of the most signifi-
cant psychosocial factors are self-image and self-esteem. The most critical age
for developing self-esteem is that of the very first years of a child's life. Thus, it
is necessary to early, i.e. during the institutional day care, recognize the prob-
lems connected with a child's poor self-image and self-esteem. The aim of the
study was to highlight the problems of low self-image and self-esteem in rela-
tion to eating disorders.
Method: The sample included 30 female participants. For the purpose of da-
ta collection we applied a semi-structured interview and three standardized
questionnaires in connection with self-image and self-esteem.
Results: The results obtained in our sample show that compared with acces-
sible norms people suffering from eating disorders achieve lower average re-
sults concerning general self-image, emotional stability, peer relationships of
the same or opposite gender and parental relationships.
Discussion and conclusions: The research supports the importance of primary
prevention in the field of eating disorders. Already during institutional day care
closest attention should be paid precisely to the traits of self-image and self-es-
teem in children, i.e. to self-liking, general self-image, emotional stability and
importance of relationships.
Keywords: personality and psychological traits, eating disorders, self-image,
self-esteem, prevention
51
