SELF CONCEPT

INTRODUCTION
 Self concept is how a person perceives his behavior,
abilities, and unique characteristics.
 Itis an idea of the self , constructed from the belief one
holds about self and the response of other.
 A self concept is largely a reflection of the reactions of
others towards the individual.
 Typically young people describe themselves more in terms
of personal traits, whereas older people feel defined to a
greater extent by their social roles.
 Self concept is an individuals knowledge of who he or
she is.
 Self concept has three components :-
(1) self image
(2) self esteem
(3) ideal self
 it can be influenced by social situation and even one’s
own motivation for seeking self knowledge.
 Self concept is a collection of beliefs about oneself.
Generally self concept embodies the answer to the
question “ who am I “
 Self concept also called :- self construction
:- self identity
:- self perspective
:- self structure.
 Self concept also differs from self-esteem: self concept is
a cognitive or descriptive component of ones self (e.g “I
am a fast runner “), while self esteem is evaluative and
opinionated (e.g “I feel good about being a fast runner” ).
 Self concept is made up of ones self-schemas, and
interacts with self esteem, self knowledge and the social
self to form the self as a whole.
 It includes the past , present, and future selves.
 In addition , people have a tendency to perceive the past
self favourably (e.g “ I am better than I used to be “ ) and
the future self more positively.
COMPONENTS OF SELF CONCEPT
 1.PERSONAL IDENTITY
 Personal identity is the unique numerical identity of a person over
time.
 CON….
 Personal identity is the concept one develops about self that evolves
over the course of his life.
 This may include aspects of ones life that he has no control over
such as where he grow up or the colour of the skin, as well as
choices he make in life , such how the spends his time and what
she/he believes.
 A person demonstrates portions of his personal identity outwardly
through what wears and how interacts with other people.
 One may also keep some elements of his personal identity to
himself , even when these parts of self are very important.
 2.BODY IMAGE
 Body image is the perception that a person has of his physical self
and the thought and feeling that result from that perception
including physical appearance , structure or function.
 Body image is a person's thoughts, feelings and perception of the
aesthetics or sexual attractiveness of his own body.
 The concept of body image is used in a number of disciplines,
including psychology, medicine, psychiatry, psychoanalysis,
philosophy, cultural and feminist studies.
 A healthy body image means that you see yourself as you really are
and that you feel good in your own skin. Self-image also involves
how you feel about your strengths, weaknesses, and abilities.
 Body image consists of the ways people view themselves ; their
memories , experience, assumptions, and comparisons about their
own appearance. And overall attitudes towards their own respective
height , shape and weight.these feeling can be positive , negative or
both.
BODY IMAGE IS DETERMINED BY
FOUR FACTORS
 THE WAY YOU SEE YOUR BODY
 THE WAY YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR BODY
 THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR BODY
 BEHAVIORSIN WHICH YOU ENGAGE AS A RESULT
OF YOUR BODY IMAGE
 3.ROLE PERFORMANCE
 Role performance is the actual behavior and expression of
individual occupying a role.
 It is the way in which individual perceives his ability to carry out
significant roles such as parents , student, teacher, friend etc.
 Each individual has multiple roles and personal needs.
 Many times conflict occurs between these two.
 To function effectively the person must know the expected
behaviour and values and should be able to meet the role
requirement.
 Fulfilling the expected role leads to an enhanced sense of self.
 4. SELF ESTEEM
 Self esteem (also known as self- worth ) refers to the extent to
which a person likes, accepts, or approves him or how much value.
 Self esteem refers to a persons feelings of self worth or the value
that he places on himself.
 Self esteem often depend on how to evalute ourselves.
 We make personal comparisons and validate how other respond to
us for example :- when the manager respond favourably to our
achievements we are encouraged by our performance and our self
esteem grows.
HIGH SELF ESTEEM GIVES POSITIVE
VIEW OF SELF AND LEADS TO…….
 CONFIDENCE IN OUR OWN ABILITIES
 SELF ACCEPTANCE
 NOT WORRYING ABOUT WHAT OTHER THINK
 OPTIMISM ( The feeling that the future will be good or
successful. )
LOW SELF ESTEEM GIVES
NAGATIVE VIEW OF SELF AND
LEADS
 LACK TO……
OF CONFIDENCE
 WANT TO BE / LOOK LIKE SOMONE ELSE
 PESSIMISM ( The state of expecting or believing that
bad things will happened and that something will not be
successful. )
 ALWAYS WORRYING WHAT OTHERS MIGHT
THINK.
 FACTORS AFFECTING SELF
CONCEPT
 There are various factors that can affect self concept include :- 1.
age
 2. gender
 3.education
 4. culture
 5. religion
 6.media
 7. stressors ( identity stressors, body image stressors, role
performance stressors, self esteem stressors. )
 1. AGE

 Self-concept changes during the individual’s life span,

being its maximum peak of permeability from seven to
twelve years old, and starts to decrease at adolescence.
 2. GENDER
 There are clear gender differences in self-concept. The
studies show that girls have a positive perception of
themselves during primary education and around twelve it
produces a decrease in self-confidence and acceptance of
body image and tend to have worse self-concept than boys.
 Thus, according to research, age acts as a moderating
variable of the differences between girls and boys.
 3.EDUCATION
 Education is a vital feature for interpersonal development.
Academic achievements in the school as well as parental
guiding and social interaction, are factors conforming the
individual’s self-concept.
 The role of education in the development of an individual's
self-concept is that it not only intervenes the teacher-pupil
relationship, but also the rest of professionals within the
educational system.
 Since education does not end in the school, family is key
for a positive development of self-concept.
 4. CULTURE
 Majority of the studies focus on the divergence between
western culture, characterized by a more dependent auto
conception of the self, and Asian culture, in which
interdependence stands as the fundamental factors in the
development of self concept.
 5. RELIGION

 Religionits leaders and their teaching also influence the

development of self concept.
 6. MEDIA
 The media has played a fundamental role in how
individuals perceive themselves.
 Marketing and advertising have contributed to a general
attitude of compulsive consumption as well as to the
creation of an ideal body image as a way to personal and
professional success.
 Research shows that subjects with a positive self-concept
are less vulnerable to the influence of the media than those
with a lower self esteem.
 7. Stressors
 (A). Identity stressors: Self-concept is affected by stressors
that affect individual's identity throughout the life and it is
seen more in adolescents.
Adolescents try to adjust to physical, emotional and mental
changes which may lead to insecurity and anxiety among them.
As adults have more stable identity, they have firmly developed
self concept.
 (B). Body Image stressors: Any changes in the body.
structure, appearance or function lead to stress and needs
adjustment eg. amputation of any body part, or disfigurement
affect the body image.
 (C) SELF IMAGE STRESSORS :- Loss of employment
breakups, and other life changes can cause fear or self
doubt.
 These feelings can affect ones self worth , confidence, and
resilience. Once these factors are compromised , a person
may be more prone to developing negative belief and self-
talk patterns.
 (D). Role performance stressors: Numerous role changes
occur in a person throughout his life. A shift from one role
to another creates stress especially situations like loss of
breadwinner of the family. A person may have to assume
two or more roles at a time.
 (E). Self esteem stressors: Individuals with positive self
esteem will be able to cope with the stressors of life as
compared to the ones with low self esteem.
 Self esteem stressors vary with developmental stages. Low
self esteem and stressful life events lead to suicidal
tendency among adolescents.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A POSITIVE
SELF CONCEPT
 SELF CONFIDENCE
 ABILITY TO ACCEPT CRITICISM AND NOT
BECOME DEFENSIVE.
 SETTING OBTAINABLE GOALS
 WILLINGNESS TO TAKE RISK AND TRY NEW
EXPERIENCES.
INTERVENTION TO PROMOTE A
POSITIVE SELF CONCEPT
 1. Identify patient's strengths.
 2. Listen to the patient's self description.
 3. Involve the patient in decision making.
 4. Keep goals realistic.
 5. Encourage patient to think positively.
 6. Maintain an environment conducive to patient self expression.
 7.Explain to the patient how to use positive self talk instead of
negative self talk.
 NURSING MANAGEMENT
 Nurse's acceptance of a patient with altered self- concept
helps to promote positive changes.
 Nurse should show a positive approach towards the
patient especially on patients with disfigurement, so that
patient gains confidence to accept his condition as it is.
 The nonverbal cues of the nurse matters a lot. Nurses need
to be aware that majority of people whether men or
women are dissatisfied about their appearance and over all
self-concept.
SOME WAY TO DEVELOP A HEALTHY
SELF CONCEPT
 1. Look within :-We can start by looking at our inner
selves, our belief systems and daily thoughts.
 If we feel that our 'real’ self (who we are) is vastly
different from our 'ideal’ self (who we want to be), we
should invest time and effort to address the difference. We
can make adjustments by setting realistic expectations
 2.Check Non-Verbal Cues :-Our bodies and minds are
connected. Some times, what we feel may reflect in our
body language. However, there are times when we can
redirect ourself-concept through our physical movements.
 EXAMPLE :- Some of us walk confidently to feel
confident about ourselves.
 3. Make Important Choice :-Lifestyles and habits impact
our self-concept to a large extent. It's one of the factors
that determine show we may reach our ideal selves. eg.,
some of us make it a habit to sleep in time and wake up in
time to remain productive throughout the day.
 SEVEN WAYS TO FOSTER SELF
ESTEEM IN STUDENT
 1. Accept students as they are.
 2. Help students develop a sense of responsibility.
 3. Increase students' sense of ownership.
 4. Help students establish self-discipline.
 5. Promote self-advocacy skills.
 6. Provide positive feedback and encouragement.
 7. Teach students to cope with mistakes and failure.
FEW WAYS TO PRESENT A POSITIVE
IMAGE
 1. Stand straight and walk with confidence.
 2. Smile. You'll appear more approachable and confident.
 3.Be the first to reach out.
 4. Look directly into someone's eyes.
 5.Don't chew gum.
 6.Speak clearly and pause.
 7.Be fully present.
 8. Ask questions about them instead of talking about yourself
 NURSING PROCESS
 ASSESSMENT :- BASIC FOR PRIORITIZING THE PATIENTS
PROBLEMS
 HEALTH HISTORY :- FEELING OR PERCEPTION
 PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
 NURSING DIAGNOSIS :- DISTRUBED BODY IMAGE
 PLANNING :- PROMOTING HEALTHY SELF CONCEPT
 IMPLEMENTATION
 EVALUATION :- EFFECTIVENESS OF NURSING CARE IS
BASED ON THE ACHIEVEMENT.