Individual Factors Affecting Self-esteem, and Relationships Among Self-esteem, Body Mass Index, and Body Image in Patients With Schizophrenia

• Published in: Archives of psychiatric nursing 2017-12, Vol.31 (6), p.588-595
• Main Authors: Oh, EunJung, Song, EunJu, Shin, JungEun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Antipsychotic Agents - therapeutic use; Body Image; Body Mass Index; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nursing; Psychiatric Nursing - methods; Republic of Korea; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenia - drug therapy; Self Concept; Self-esteem; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0883-9417; 1532-8228
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2017.08.007

The purposes of this study were to identify correlations between body mass index, body image, and self-esteem in patients with schizophrenia and to analyse the specific factors affecting self-esteem. This study had a descriptive design, utilising a cross-sectional survey. Participants were patients with schizophrenia who were admitted to a mental health facility in South Korea. A total of 180 questionnaires were distributed, and an appropriate total sample size of 167 valid questionnaires was analysed. Self-esteem was significantly correlated with body image, the subscale of appearance orientation, and body areas satisfaction. However, body mass index exhibited no significant correlation with any variable. The variables found to have a significant explanatory power of 21.4% were appearance orientation and body areas satisfaction. The explanatory power of all factors was 33.6%. The self-esteem of patients with schizophrenia was influenced by body mass index and body image. The positive symptoms of schizophrenia can be controlled by medication, whereas negative symptoms can be improved through education and nursing care with medication. Thus, psychiatric nurses should develop education and care programs that contribute to the positive body image and self-esteem of patients with schizophrenia. •Schizophrenia patients may have high risk of overweight due to taking anti-psychotic drugs.•Self-esteem was affected body weight and body image, but improving negative symptoms will contribute positive body image and self-esteem.•The psychiatric nursing program need to manage body image and improvement of self-esteem.