self concept Flashcards
Self esteem
The ability to feel good about oneself and believe that others value you as well.
✅ Example: A person with high self-esteem accepts compliments, embraces challenges, and maintains confidence in their abilities.
Self-Actualization
The process of reaching one’s full development or potential.
✅ Example: An artist who pursues their passion fearlessly, or a professional who strives for personal growth and fulfillment.
Identity Diffusion
When childhood personality traits do not integrate harmoniously into adulthood, leading to an unstable or fragmented sense of self.
✅ Example: A person who struggles with their identity may frequently change careers, relationships, or beliefs without a clear sense of direction.
Depersonalization
A partial or total disruption of one’s ego, leading to a feeling of detachment from oneself or reality.
✅ Example: A person experiencing severe stress or trauma may feel like they are watching themselves from outside their body.
Positive Self-Concept
✅ Greater Self-Knowledge – Understands strengths & weaknesses.
✅ Realistic Expectations – Sets achievable personal and professional goals.
✅ Higher Self-Esteem – Feels confident and valued.
Negative Self-Concept
❌ Poorer Self-Knowledge – Lacks awareness of personal abilities and values.
❌ Less Realistic Expectations – Sets unattainable goals, leading to frustration.
❌ Lower Self-Esteem – Feels inadequate, unworthy, or struggles with self-worth.
Three Dimensions of Self-Concept
📌 1️⃣ Self-Knowledge → “Who am I?”
Awareness of personal facts, social roles, and character traits.
✅ Example: “I am a nurse, a sister, and an empathetic person.”
📌 2️⃣ Self-Expectations → “Who or what do I want to be?”
Developed unconsciously in childhood, influenced by role models, parents, or caregivers.
✅ Example: A child dreams of becoming a teacher because their parent is one.
📌 3️⃣ Self-Evaluation → “How well do I like myself?”
Also known as self-respect, self-approval, or self-worth.
✅ Example: Someone with high self-esteem says, “I am proud of my accomplishments.”
factors that influence the formation of self-concept throughout life
📌 1️⃣ Early Development & Self-Awareness
✅ Infants learn that their physical self is separate from the environment.
✅ If basic needs are met, the child develops positive self-feelings.
📌 2️⃣ Internalization of Others’ Attitudes
✅ Children absorb opinions from parents, caregivers, teachers, and peers about their abilities and worth.
✅ Example: A child told they are smart and capable may grow up with higher self-confidence.
📌 3️⃣ Social & Cultural Influences
✅ Societal standards & expectations shape self-concept.
✅ Culture defines beauty, success, and identity, influencing self-worth.
📌 4️⃣ Life Experiences & Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)
✅ Positive experiences (success in school, supportive relationships) boost self-esteem.
✅ Negative experiences (violence, neglect, bullying) can harm self-concept.
📌 5️⃣ Major Life Challenges & Trauma
✅ Violence at home or in the community affects emotional security.
✅ Death, crises, disabilities, and mental health struggles shape self-perception.
📌 6️⃣ Environmental & Economic Factors
✅ Instability, substance abuse, and lack of resources can cause stress and low self-esteem.
✅ Successes & failures throughout life influence confidence levels.
📌 7️⃣ Developmental Growth & Aging
✅ Self-concept evolves with age—adolescents seek identity, while older adults reflect on life achievements.
✅ Aging-related changes (retirement, physical decline) can challenge self-esteem.
What are the differences between adaptive and maladaptive responses in self-concept?
📌 1️⃣ Adaptive Responses (Healthy Self-Concept)
✅ Patient assumes responsibility for their care.
✅ Actively seeks solutions, follows medical advice, and engages in self-care.
✅ Maintains independence and confidence in decision-making.
✅ Example: A patient with diabetes monitors their diet and blood sugar levels independently.
📌 2️⃣ Maladaptive Responses (Poor Self-Concept)
❌ Patient assigns responsibility to others instead of taking control.
❌ Stubbornness or resistance to care and personal growth.
❌ Overly dependent on family, caregivers, or healthcare professionals.
❌ Example: A patient refuses to follow medical advice and insists that others must take care of them.
📌 3️⃣ Independence vs. Dependence Factors
Some individuals naturally seek independence, while others struggle with self-reliance due to cultural, psychological, or medical factors.
✅ Goal: Balance self-sufficiency and support while encouraging patient empowerment.
High Self-Esteem
✅ The real self (who a person believes they are) is relatively close to the ideal self (who they aspire to be).
✅ Leads to confidence, self-acceptance, and a positive outlook.
✅ Example: “I am not perfect, but I am happy with who I am and always improving.”
Low Self-Esteem
❌ The real self feels far from the ideal self, leading to self-doubt and insecurity.
❌ Can cause negative self-talk, avoidance of challenges, and fear of failure.
❌ Example: “I will never be good enough, no matter how hard I try.”
Real Self vs. Ideal Self
✅ Real Self – How a person currently sees themselves.
✅ Ideal Self – The person they want to become or aspire to be.
✅ A healthy self-concept includes realistic expectations while striving for growth.
role-specific behaviors, and how can illness or injury compromise self-concept?
📌 1️⃣ What Are Role-Specific Behaviors?
Our identity, life roles, and occupations define our social and personal self-concept.
✅ Common Roles Individuals Have:
Parent, spouse, caregiver, employee, student, leader, friend, mentor, provider.
📌 2️⃣ How Can Illness or Injury Compromise a Role?
Health conditions can affect an individual’s ability to fulfill their expected roles.
✅ Examples:
A parent with a disability may struggle to care for their children.
A worker with a chronic illness may have to change careers or stop working.
A student with a brain injury may struggle with learning and independence.
📌 3️⃣ How This Alters Self-Concept
❌ Loss of Identity – A person may feel disconnected from who they were before the illness/injury.
❌ Decreased Self-Esteem – Feeling less valuable due to role changes.
❌ Increased Dependence on Others – Loss of independence can impact confidence and self-worth.
✅ Coping & Adaptation Strategies:
Adjusting expectations and finding new ways to fulfill meaningful roles.
Seeking support groups, therapy, and assistive resources.
Emphasizing self-worth beyond occupational or physical abilities.
Importance of Self-Concept Assessment in Nursing
1️⃣ Helps Identify Positive (+) or Negative (-) Self-Concept
✅ Nurses can recognize if a patient has a healthy self-view or struggles with self-worth.
✅ Example: A patient with low self-concept may express feelings of worthlessness after an amputation.
📌 2️⃣ Guides the Development of a Care Plan
✅ Nurses assess the patient’s:
Sense of self
Personal strengths
Body image disturbances
Communication strengths & weaknesses
✅ This allows for personalized interventions to improve self-esteem and coping mechanisms.
📌 3️⃣ Recognizes Impact of Crises, Illness, & Death
❌ Acute distress from medical conditions, trauma, or loss can significantly impact self-concept.
❌ Chronic inability to cope hinders emotional growth and prevents recovery and adaptation.
📌 4️⃣ Prevents Long-Term Psychological & Emotional Decline
✅ A nurse’s intervention can help a patient regain confidence, cope with health changes, and maintain independence.
✅ Example: A nurse may refer a stroke survivor to therapy and support groups to help restore self-esteem.
Nursing Strategies to Strengthen Self-Concept & Personal Growth
📌 1️⃣ Empower Your Patient
✅ Encourage independence, decision-making, and self-efficacy.
✅ Example: Helping a patient set small goals for recovery after surgery.
📌 2️⃣ Assist Patients in Recognizing Their Strengths
✅ Help patients identify positive qualities beyond their illness.
✅ Example: A nurse reminds a stroke survivor, “Your determination is what will help you recover.”
📌 3️⃣ Acknowledge & Validate the Patient
✅ Offer genuine praise and recognize small achievements.
✅ Example: “I see how hard you’re working in therapy. You’re making great progress!”
📌 4️⃣ Focus on the Whole Person, Not Just the Illness
✅ Treat the mind, body, and emotions, not just medical symptoms.
✅ Example: Ask about hobbies, family, and passions to shift focus from illness to self-worth.
📌 5️⃣ Help Patients Explore Positive Aspects of Themselves
✅ Encourage self-reflection and self-appreciation.
✅ Example: A patient who lost mobility learns new adaptive skills to maintain independence.
📌 6️⃣ Promote a Positive Body Image
✅ Help patients accept and appreciate their bodies despite physical changes.
✅ Example: A nurse supports a cancer survivor coping with hair loss by helping them explore confidence-building strategies.
Role Ambiguity
Uncertainty about role expectations or responsibilities.
✅ Example: A new nurse is unsure of their exact duties in a hospital setting.
Role Overload
When too many demands are placed on an individual’s time and abilities.
✅ Example: A single parent juggles work, parenting, and caregiving for an elderly parent, leading to exhaustion.
Role Strain
Feeling stressed or inadequate in fulfilling a role.
✅ Example: A new parent struggles to meet expectations, feeling overwhelmed.
Role Conflict
When an individual faces incompatible demands between multiple roles.
✅ Example: A nurse wants to care for patients but is pressured by administrative tasks, leading to stress.
Role Incongruence
When a person’s values or beliefs do not align with role expectations.
✅ Example: A nurse with strong ethical beliefs feels conflicted about hospital policies on patient care.
Sick Role Conflict
When a patient struggles with accepting dependency due to illness.
✅ Example: A professional athlete has difficulty relying on others for care after an injury.
