Self-esteem in children and adolescents with growth hormone deficiency

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to assess self-esteem in children and adolescents with growth hormone deficiency and to establish the factors influencing self-esteem in children and adolescents with growth hormone deficiency. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 26 children and adolescents, aged 8 to 18, with a total growth hormone deficiency. The Cooper Smith self-esteem inventory was used in this study. Results: Patients with growth hormone deficiency had low self-esteem in more than 50% of the cases. Among the studied factors influencing the self-esteem, such as school performance, disturbance in parent-child and peers-child relationships, perceived by parents, and parents’ acceptance of the illness, there was a correlation in most of the subscales. Conclusions: Growth hormone impaired children and adolescents require psychological counseling and comprehensive care.