Adult 1 Self-Concept

Self-Concept

- a subjective sense of self and a complex mixture of unconscious and conscious thoughts, attitudes, and perceptions

- includes self-esteem

What is linked to self-concept in adulthood?

- job satisfaction and job performance

Erikson's Psychological theory

- each lifestage (8) builds on tasks of the previous stage

- successful mastery leads to a sense of self (achievement)

Components of Self-Concept

identity, body image, and role performance

Identity

- involves the internal sense of individuality, wholeness, and consistency of self

Body Image

- involves attitudes related to physical appearance, structure, or function

Role Performance

- how individuals carry out their significant roles

Factors Affecting Self-Concept

-any real CHANGE or PERCEIVED change that threatens identity, body image, or role performance can affect self-concept

- changes in physical, spiritual, emotional, sexual, familial, and sociocultural health

Stressors Affecting Self-Concept

-identity stressors

-role performance stressors

-body image stressors

-self-esteem stressors

Identity Stressors

- occurs heavily during ADOLESCENCE

- when becoming independent

Role Performance Stressors

Role conflict

Role ambiguity

Role strain

Role overload

Role Ambiguity

when role expectations are not clearly understood

- failure to completely and accurately understand what the role demands

Role Overload

having more work to accomplish than time permits

Role Conflict

conflict among the roles connected to two or more statuses

Role Strain

-demands from a single role

Body Image Stressors

- affect appearance, structure, or function of a body part

Self-Esteem Stressors

- vary by developmental stage

Life events such as disability, chronic illness, loss of career, change in financial status, feeling irrelevant due to retirement, and loss of social support when a spouse is deceased that can impact a client's self-esteem.

Adolescent Self-Concept

- Identity confusion

- Disturbed body image

- self-esteem

- role conflict

Older-Adult Self-Concept

- can be NEGATIVELY affected in older adulthood bc of life changes

- however, in some, aging promotes improved coping strategies that protect against declining feelings of self-esteem, despite the physical and emotional changes associated with aging

Cultural Considerations

- ask pts what they think is important to help them feel better or gain a stronger sense of self

Negative Self-Concept Assessment

- avoidance of eye contact, slumped posture, unkempt appearance, overly apologetic, hesitant speech, overly critical or angry

Nursing Diagnosis and Planning

- Goals and Outcomes, Setting priorities, collaborative care

Goals and Outcomes

- be realistic

Setting Priorities

-focus on adaptations to stressors

Collaborative care

- consider additional resources

Implementation

Goal: reduce situational low self-esteem

Target the level of care: health promotion, acute care, restorative care

- encourage self-care

- elicit patient's perceptions of strengths and weaknesses

- explore coping responses

- reinforce strengths and successes

Evaluation

- FREQUENT eval of pt progress is necessary (are we reaching our goal? advancing?)

- apply knowledge of behaviors and characteristics of a healthy self-concept when reviewing the actual behaviors pts display

Expected outcomes for a pt with a self-concept disturbance

- nonverbal behaviors showing positive self-concept

- statements of self-acceptance (subjective)

- acceptance of change