Children with surgically corrected hand deformities and upper limb deficiencies: self-concept and psychological well-being

We studied self-concept and psychological well-being in children with hand deformities and upper limb deficiencies. Ninety-two children, 53 boys, 39 girls, aged 9–11 years were included. The children were divided into two subgroups – one with milder (less visible) deformities and one with severe (more complex and visible) finger–hand–arm deformities. Of the 92 children, 79 had received reconstructive surgery, and 13 had been treated with prostheses. The Piers–Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale (PHCSCS) was used to measure self-esteem and well-being. Overall PHCSCS scores showed that the whole hand deformity group had ‘good’ self-concept with mean scores in excess of 60 points, equal to a comparison group of healthy children. Within the hand deformity group, those with mild deformities had lower scores than those with severe deformities. This result was also found in the group of boys but not in the girls. The children with severe deformities had even higher scores than the comparison group regarding the subscale ‘Intellectual and School Status’. The children with milder deformities had lower scores than the comparison group regarding the subscale ‘Popularity’.