The Effect of Physical Disabilities on Child and Adolescent Self-Concept

The self-concepts of physically disabled children and adolescents attending and residing at schools for the physically disabled were measured using the Piers-Harris Children\u27s Self-Concept Scale. scores in total self-concept and six self-concept facets derived from this assessment were compared to corresponding scores of the normative sample used to standardize the Piers-Harris Children\u27s Self-Concept Scale. Additionally, the influence of gender, race, and age within the physically disabled sample were investigated. The presence of a physical disability did not significantly affect self-concept. However, physically disabled youth indicated more acceptance of their physical characteristics and higher anxiety when compared to the nondisabled group. With regard to the influences of gender, race, and age, results indicated that when compared to the nondisabled group, physically disabled males and physically disabled 15-18 year olds were more highly anxious and that physically disabled Caucasians exhibited more acceptance of their physical characteristics