Abstract
Objectives
To compare self-esteem and maternal attitude between children with learning disability and their unaffected siblings.
Methods
This cross sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in an urban setting. It comprised of 31 pairs of children with a learning disability, their unaffected siblings and input from their mothers. All children were assessed with Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Mothers were asked to fill Index of parental attitude (IPA) and semi structured proforma with demographic data and questionnaire about her children with a learning disability and his/her unaffected sibling.
Results
Self-esteem was found to be lower in children with learning disability. They felt they do not have much to be proud of and have a fewer number of good qualities. They are also inclined to consider themselves as failures. In factors affecting self-esteem, index of parental attitude was found to be unfavorable towards children with learning disability. Mothers felt child was interfering with their activities and was getting on their nerves. In addition, they also felt that they do not understand their child, feel like they do not love their child and wished that child was more like others they know off. More academic failures, academic difficulties and negative school report were also perceived by mother as lowering child’s self-esteem.
Conclusions
Self-esteem was lower in children with learning disability. In factors affecting self-esteem maternal attitude, academic difficulties, academic failure and negative school reports was found to be unfavorable.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank Dr. Ravindra Rananavare, Dean of Topiwala National Medical College and B. Y. L. Nair charitable hospital for granting permission to publish the paper using hospital data.
Contributions
The LS and VN designed the study, interpreted data and results, performed literature review and drafted the manuscript. LS and VN collected the data and SH and KR supervised data recording and interpretation.
Conflict of Interest
The paper was selected and presented in Luke Clerk award category atIACAMON – 2011(XIth biennial Conference Indian Association for Child & Adolescent Mental Health).
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Lahane, S., Shah, H., Nagarale, V. et al. Comparison of Self-Esteem and Maternal Attitude Between Children with Learning Disability and Unaffected Siblings. Indian J Pediatr 80, 745–749 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-012-0915-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-012-0915-5