Sexual maturation, Body image, and Self-esteem among Girls of Lower Grades in Elementary School.
10.12799/jkachn.2012.23.4.405
- Author:
So Young ROH
1
;
Kyeha KIM
Author Information
1. Graduate School, Department of Nursing, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Sexual maturation;
Body image;
Self concept
- MeSH:
Body Image;
Breast;
Child;
Female;
Humans;
Menstruation;
Puberty, Precocious;
Self Concept;
Sexual Maturation
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing
2012;23(4):405-414
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the sexual maturation, body image, and self-esteem of Korean elementary school girls with symptoms of precocious puberty compared to those with no symptoms of precocious puberty. METHODS: The subjects were 309 girls of lower grades in elementary school. Tanner's Sexual Maturation Rating (SMR), Self Image Scale, and Self-esteem Scale were utilized to determine the presence of symptoms of precocious puberty, body image, and self esteem. Collected data were analyzed by Chi-square test, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA using the SPSS/WIN 17.0 program. RESULTS: The percentage of the girls with breast development was 14.9%. Breast development usually began in the third grade (56.5%). Of the subjects, 0.3% were experiencing menstruation. Breast development was related to grade, age, height, weight, and a cause of worry. There was a significant difference of body image between girls with breast development in the first grade and in the second grade. CONCLUSION: An effective intervention that can improve the self-image of children with symptoms of precocious puberty should be developed to prevent and treat physical and mental problems related to sexual maturation.
