title: Coordination difficulties and self-esteem: a review and findings from a New Zealand survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Children and adolescents with significant coordination difficulties have consistently been found to have lower self-esteem in relation to athletic competence and physical ability. However, findings in relation to global self-esteem have been mixed. This study aimed to investigate the self-esteem of children and adolescents with a diagnosis of dyspraxia in a large New Zealand sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  A confidential postal questionnaire was sent to all members of the Dyspraxia Support Group of New Zealand. Children and adolescents aged seven to 18 years with a diagnosis of dyspraxia were asked to complete the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale 2nd edition (PHCSCS-2), while parents were asked about a range of factors which might affect self-esteem including possible coexisting conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a response rate of 20% with 75 valid responses. Coexisting conditions were common including 50.7% with a diagnosis of dyslexia or another learning disorder. Children and adolescents with dyspraxia scored significantly lower than PHCSCS-2 norms on the physical appearance and attributes, intellectual and school status and popularity subscales and also the PHCSCS-2 total score, indicating lower global self-esteem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study strengthens the evidence that an association exists in children and adolescents between having significant coordination difficulties and lower global self-esteem.
authors.affiliation: Child and Family Specialty Service, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand. matt.eggleston@cdhb.health.nz
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eggleston
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hanger
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Frampton
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Watkins
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001072:Apraxias / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006240:Happiness; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D009520:New Zealand; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires