MODULE IN NCM 103

FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the module, the student will be able to;
1. Summarizes the development of self concept and self esteem.
2. Identify dimension of self concept
3. Describe formation of self concept
4. Categorize the components of self concept
5. Discuss the different factors that affects self concept.
6. Describe the essential aspects of assessing role relationships.
7. Identify nursing diagnoses related to altered self concept.
8. Describe nursing interventions designed to achieve identified outcomes for clients qith
altered self concept
9. Describe ways to enhance client’s self esteem

Self-concept is generally thought of as our individual perceptions of our behavior, abilities, and
unique characteristics—a mental picture of who you are as a person. 1 For example, beliefs such
as "I am a good friend" or "I am a kind person" are part of an overall self-concept.
Self-concept tends to be more malleable when people are younger and still going through the
process of self-discovery and identity formation. As people age, self-perceptions become much
more detailed and organized as people form a better idea of who they are and what is important
to them.
At its most basic, self-concept is a collection of beliefs one holds about oneself and the responses of
others. It embodies the answer to the question "Who am I?"

Humanist psychologist, Carl Rogers believed that there were three different parts of self-concept:

 Self-image, or how you see yourself. Each individual's self-image is a mixture of

 different attributes including our physical characteristics, personality traits, and social
roles. Self-image doesn't necessarily coincide with reality. Some people might have an
inflated self-image of themselves, while others may perceive or exaggerate the flaws and
weaknesses that others don't see.

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  Self-esteem, or how much you value yourself. A number of factors can impact self-
esteem, including how we compare ourselves to others and how others respond to us.
When people respond positively to our behavior, we are more likely to develop
positive self-esteem. When we compare ourselves to others and find ourselves lacking, it
can have a negative impact on our self-esteem.
 Ideal self, or how you wish you could be. In many cases, the way we see ourselves and
how we would like to see ourselves do not quite match up.4

Characteristics of Self-Concept

As a brief review, self-concept is the perspective we have on who we are. Each of us

has a unique self-concept, different from the self-concept of others and from their
concept of us.

However, there are some characteristics that all of our self-concepts have in common.

Self-concept:

1. Displays uniquely with each person.

2. Vary from very positive to very negative.
3. Carries emotional, intellectual, and functional dimensions.
4. Changes with the context.
5. Changes over time.
6. Influence the individual’s life (Delmar Learning, n.d.)

Dimensions/components of Self-Concept

Different dimensions may constitute different kinds of self-concept; for example, the
dimensions that create “academic self-efficacy” will not have as much overlap with
“social self-efficacy.”

There are some overarching dimensions that researchers understand with the self-
concept puzzle. These dimensions include:

 Self-esteem
 Self-worth
 Self-image (physical)
 Ideal self
 Identities or roles (social)
 Personal traits and qualities (Elliot, 1984; Gecas, 1982)

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The Development Stages of Self-Concept

Self-concept develops and changes throughout the lifespan, but it is most in flux
during the early years. Early childhood is a ripe time for young humans to perceive
themselves in the world.

The Formation of Self-Concept During Early Childhood

There are three general stages of self-concept development during early childhood:

1. Stage 1: 0 to 2 years-old
a. Babies need consistent, loving relationships to develop a positive sense of
self.
b. Babies form preferences that align with their innate sense of self.
c. Toddlers feel secure with gentle but firm limits
d. At age two, language skill develops and toddlers have a sense of “me.”
2. Stage 2: 3 to 4 years-old
a. Three and four-year-olds begin to see themselves as separate and unique
individuals.
b. Their self-images tend to be descriptive rather than prescriptive or
judgmental.
c. Preschoolers are increasingly independent and curious about what they can
do.
3. Stage 3: 5 to 6 years-old
a. They are transitioning from the “me” stage to the “us” stage, where they are
more aware of the needs and interests of the larger group.
b. Kindergarteners can use their words to communicate their wants, needs, and
feelings.
c. Five and six-year-olds can use even more advanced language to help define
themselves within the context of the group (Miller, Church, & Poole, n.d.).

Self-Concept in Middle Childhood

During middle childhood (about 7 to 11 years old), children are beginning to develop
a sense of their social selves and figuring out how they fit in with everyone else. They

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reference social groups and make social comparisons more often, and begin to think
about how others see them.

Other characteristics of their self-concept at this stage include:

 More balanced, less all-or-none descriptions

 Development of the ideal and real self
 Descriptions of the self by competencies instead of specific behaviors
 Development of a personal sense of self (Berk, 2004)

Culture begins to play a big role at this stage, but we’ll talk more about that later.

The Development of Self-Concept in Adolescence

Adolescence is where the development of one’s self-concept really explodes.

This is the stage in which individuals (about age 12-18) play with their sense of self,
including a time when they experiment with their identity, compare themselves with
others, and develop the basis of a self-concept that may stay with them the rest of their
life.

During this period, adolescents are prone to greater self-consciousness and

susceptibility to the influence of their peers and chemical changes happening in the
brain (Sebastian, Burnett, & Blakemore, 2008).

They enjoy greater freedom and independence, engage in increasingly competitive

activities, compare themselves with their peers, and can value (even over-value) the
perspective of others (Manning, 2007).

In adolescence, there are two important factors that influence self-concept and self-
worth:

1. Success in areas in which the adolescent desires success

2. Approval from significant people in the adolescent’s life (Manning, 2007).

When students have a healthy sense of self-worth and self-esteem, they contribute to a
greater self-concept.

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FACTORS THAT AFFECT SELF CONCEPT

1. Stage of development
2. Family and culture
3. Stressors
4. Resources
5. History of success and failure
6. Illness

Stressors affecting Self concept

1. Identity stressors
2. Body image stressors
3. Role stressors
4. Self esteem stressors

NURSING MANAGEMENT:

Assessment interview for SELF CONCEPT:

 How would you describe your personal characteristics?
 How do you see yourself as a person?
 How do others describe you as a person
 What do you like about yourself?
 What do you do well?
 What are your personal strength, talents, and abilities?
 What would you change about yourself if you could?
 How do you feel when you think someone does not like you?
 Is there any part of your body you would like to change?
 Do you feel different or inferior to others?
 How do you feel about your appearance?
 How have significant others in your life reacted to changes in your body?

Assessment interview for SELF ESTEEM:

 Are you satisfied with your life?
 How do you feel about yourself?
 Are you accomplishing what you want?
 What goals in life are important to you?

Diagnoses:
 Disturbed body image
 Ineffective role performance
 Chronic low self esteem or risk for
 Disturbed personal identity/risk for
 Anxiety related to changed physical appearance
 Ineffective e coping with role change related to death of spouse
 Grieving or complicated grieving related to physical appearance
 Hopelessness
 Parental role conflict
 Readiness for enhanced self concept
 Disturbed sleep pattern

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  Social isolation
 Spiritual distress

Activity: Make an assessment of yourself answering the question :WHO AM I?”. This is to test
how well do you know yourself. (guidelines: assessment interview questions).

As future nurses ,how does Self-Concept affect Interpersonal

Communication/relationship?

Resources: Kozier & Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing, 10th ed.

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-self-concept-2795865

https://positivepsychology.com/self-concept/

https://www.thoughtco.com/self-concept-psychology-4176368

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