PSYCHIATRISTS CONCEPT OF ADOLESCENT SELF-IMAGE

The objectives of the study were as follows: (1) to determine the accu racy of psychiatrists' concepts of the self-image of healthy and distu rbed adolescents, and (2) to examine the effects of psychiatrists' gen der experience, and specialization on the accuracy of these concepts. Toward this end, eighty-four psychiatrists completed a modified Offer Self-image Questionnaire as they believed a mentally healthy 15-year-o ld of their gender would respond. These responses were compared to tho se of 140 nonpatient 15-year-olds. Sixty-one psychiatrists completed t he questionnaire as they believed a disturbed 15-year-old of their gen der would respond. These responses were compared to the responses of 7 0 psychiatric inpatient 15-year-olds of the same diagnosis. The result s were that psychiatrists had a more accurate concept of normal adoles cents' self-image than was found in 1981. However, their view of the s elf-image of disturbed adolescents was more psychopathological than th e disturbed adolescents viewed themselves. Psychiatrists' gender numbe r of years postresidency, and type of training had no effect on the ac curacy of the psychiatrists' concepts. The results demonstrate that wh ile psychiatrists work with disturbed adolescents, they have a more ac curate perception of the self-image of normal adolescents. This can ef fect the diagnosis and treatment of adolescent patients.