Self-perception profile in children with cancer: Self vs parent report

Self-perception about competence, behaviour, and self-worth were examined i n 30 children (8 to 14 years) recently diagnosed as having cancer and were compared with that of their parents' perception. The poor agreement between parents' and children's ratings on physical appearance and social acceptan ce is note-worthy in that these two domains are particularly vulnerable in children with cancer, given the effects of chemotherapy on physical appeara nce and children's tendency to view themselves as socially undesirable or a burden to others. This finding, if replicated, can have implications for t herapeutic intervention since thr discrepancy score could be used to challe nge children's negative views in the contest of cognitive therapy to improv e their self-esteem.