Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing  2010;40(3):367-377

doi:10.4040/jkan.2010.40.3.367

Comparison of the Factors Influencing Children's Self-esteem between Two Parent Families and Single Parent Families.

Sohyune R SOK 1 ; Sung Hee SHIN

Affiliations

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Keywords

Single parent family; Child; Self-esteem; Schools

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was done to compare factors influencing children's self-esteem between two parent families and single parent families. METHODS: The participants were 692 children aged 11 to 13 yr (388 in two parent families and 304 in single parent families) recruited from 20 community agencies and 5 elementary schools in Gyeonggi Province and Seoul City, South Korea. Data were collected from May to July, 2007 using a survey questionnaire containing items on self-esteem, internal control, problematic behavior, school record, family hardiness, parent-child communication and social support. The data were analyzed using SPSS 15.0 program and factors affecting children's self-esteem were analyzed by stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Scores for the study variables were significantly different between the two groups. The factors influencing children's self-esteem were also different according to family type. For two parent families, internal control, problematic behavior, school record, and parent-child communication significantly predicted the level of self-esteem (adjusted R2=.505, p<.001). For single parent families, social support, family hardiness, internal control, problematic behavior, school record, and parent-child communication significantly predicted the level of self-esteem (adjusted R2=.444, p<.001). CONCLUSION: Nurse working with children should consider family type-specific factors influencing their self-esteem.