title: Self-esteem of young adults with chronic health conditions: appraising the effects of perceived impact.
abstract: The relationships between selected condition characteristics and self-esteem were investigated in a randomly drawn, community-based sample of 286 young adults with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Whether appraisals of the impact of the condition mediated relationships between condition characteristics and self-esteem, as measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, was also measured. As a group, the youth in this sample reported positive self-esteem. When sociodemographic and condition-related variables were considered simultaneously, maternal education, unpredictability of symptoms, prognosis, sensory impairment, and the presence of a co-occurring learning disability were found to have direct effects on esteem. Perceived impact mediated the relationship between condition characteristics and self-esteem. The results are discussed in relation to the role of impact appraisal in determining the emotional well-being of young adults with chronic illnesses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205.
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Ireys
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Werthamer-Larsson
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Kolodner
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010553:Personality Development; D011632:Public Assistance; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012803:Sick Role