Self-Perception and Self-Concept: Unit Sixteen

Self-Perception
and
Self-Concept
UNIT SIXTEEN
Objectives
• Define self concept
• Describe the four components of self-concept.
• Explain the development of self-concept
throughout the life span.
• Discuss factors affecting self-concept.
• Describe behaviors indicative of altered self-
concept.
• Discuss application of the nursing process with
clients experiencing self-concept alterations.
Self-Concept
• Self-concept is an individual’s perception of
self and is what makes each individual unique.
• Every one has positive and negative self-
assessments in his physical, emotional,
intellectual, and functional dimensions
– They change over time and
– According to the context of the situation.
• Self-concept affects the ability to function and
greatly influences health status.
Dimensions of Self-Concept
• Self-knowledge — “Who am I?”
• Self-expectation — “Who or what do I want to

be?”
• Social self – “How am I perceived by others?”

• Self-evaluation — “How well do I like myself?”
Components of Self-Concept
• Identity
• Body image
• Self-esteem
• Role performance
Interrelationship of Components of
Self-Concept
Identity
• A sense of personal identity is what sets one
person apart as a unique individual.
• Identity includes a person’s name, gender,
ethnic identity, family status, occupation, and
roles.
• One’s personal identity begins to develop
during childhood and is constantly reinforced
and modified throughout life.
Body Image
• Body image is an attitude about one’s physical
attributes and characteristics, appearance,
and performance.
• Body image is dynamic because any change in
body structure or function, including the
normal changes of growth and development,
can affect it.
Self-esteem
• It’s an individual’s generalized sense of worth

and value, or how a person regards self.
• It refers to an individual’s self-evaluation, the

judgment of personal performance compared
with the self-ideal.
Role Performance
• Role refers to a set of expected behaviors
determined by familial, cultural, and social
norms.
• The level of self-esteem is dependent upon
the self-perception of adequate role
performance in these various social roles.
Con’t
• Stressors Affecting Role Performance
• Role overload
– Excessive demands of numerous roles have
conflicting priorities.
• Role conflict
– Incompatible role expectations are held
Whenever a person is unable to fulfill role
responsibilities, self-concept is impaired.
Development of Self-Concept
• Self-concept evolves throughout life and

depends to an extent on an individual’s
developmental level.
Con’t
If basic needs are met, child has positive feelings of
self.
•During infancy, the child develops a self-
perception of being separate from the
environment (including parents);
•As the child ages, perspectives (especially of the
parents) are internalized ; and
•Society’s norms (e.g., expectations of appropriate
behavior) are then internalized by the child.
Con’t
In adolescent
•The primary benchmark for arriving at an
overall perception of self can change from
family or parental values to those held by peers
and friends or embodied in desired role models.
•Teens typically invest tremendous energies in
appearances and social status.
Con’t
In adults
•Involvement in family, work, and community
obligations and activities often contributes
significantly to an individual’s self-concept.
•Roles and responsibilities change and new roles
are introduced.
Con’t
In elderlies
• Learning to adapt to the numerous physical
changes that normally occur with aging, such as
diminished eyesight and hearing, loss and
change in color of hair, can be a true challenge
for many individuals;
Factors Affecting Self-Concept
• Altered Health Status

– Illness ( AIDS, mental illness) , or trauma
• Experience
– History of success and failure
• Developmental transitions
- Aging, pregnancy, menopause
Manifestation of altered self-concept
• Self care deficit- poor personal hygiene ,
disregard for health maintaining activities
• Emotional and behavioral changes-
hopelessness, helplessness, anger, inability to
make decisions , isolation, refusal to make eye
contact, negatively verbalize about self
• Self destructive behaviors- substance
abuse, gambling, overeating.
Common Nursing Diagnoses
• Disturbed Body Image
• Disturbed Personal Identity
• Ineffective Role Performance
• Chronic Low Self-Esteem
• Situational Low Self-Esteem
Implementation
• Assess the client’s strengths to be used as a
foundation on which to build therapeutic
interventions.
Initiate Therapeutic Interaction
• By using a nonjudgmental approach, the nurse
encourages clients to feel more positive about
themselves.
Con’t
Support Healthy Defense Mechanisms
•When caring for a client with altered or threatened
self-concept, it is wise to first identify the client’s
strengths and successful coping mechanisms before.
•Ensure Satisfaction of Needs
– Physical needs – providing self care
Con’t
• Psychosocial needs
• Explain procedures, telling the client what is
expected and what is going to occur.
• Respect a client’s privacy.
• Treat each client as an individual worthy of
dignity.

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Self-Perception

• Self-knowledge — “Who am I?”

• Self-expectation — “Who or what do I want to

• Social self – “How am I perceived by others?”

• It’s an individual’s generalized sense of worth

• It refers to an individual’s self-evaluation, the

• Self-concept evolves throughout life and

• Altered Health Status

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