Self-esteem and social well-being of children with cochlear implant compared to normal-hearing children.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to make a quantitative comparison of parameters of self-esteem and social well-being between children with cochlear implants and normal-hearing children.


METHODS
Data were obtained from 164 children with cochlear implant (CI) and 2169 normal-hearing children (NH). Parental questionnaires, used in a national survey assessing the self-esteem and well-being of normal-hearing children, were applied to the cochlear implanted group, in order to allow direct comparisons.


RESULTS
The children in the CI group rated significantly higher on questions about well-being in kindergarten/school and the CI boys appeared to manage school work better than normal-hearing boys. CI children were significantly more active and bullied other children less than normal-hearing peers, whereas no difference existed as to being bullied by other children. No difference was obtained regarding overall self-esteem or number of friends. The two groups of children scored similarly on being confident, independent, social, not worried and happy.


CONCLUSIONS
Children with cochlear implant score equal to or better than their normal-hearing peers on matters of self-esteem and social well-being.
Percy-Smith
Lone
L
East Danish Cochlear Implant Center, Department of Audiology, Gentofte University Hospital of Copenhagen, Denmark. percysmith@dbmail.dk
Cayé-Thomasen
Per
P
Gudman
Mette
M
Jensen
Jørgen Hedegaard
JH
Thomsen
Jens
J
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003054:Cochlear Implants / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept