Children with GHD have lower self-esteem than healthy peers

Children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) have lower self-esteem and internalized problems than healthy children, according to a study.

In this study, 46 prepubescent children with GHD took the Goodman’s “Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to investigate psychosocial functioning. Self-esteem was measured by the Dembo-Rubinstein method.

Compared to healthy children, the children with GHD in this sample had lower self-esteem and internalized problems more often. Scores for “total difficulties,” “emotional problem,” and “peer problem” were higher in children with GHD.

Level of assertions, low self-esteem, and a weak discrepancy between the level of assertions and self-esteem were noted in children with GHD

Psychological problems in children with GHD were linked to sociodemographic determinants, including male gender, age < 9 years, and low family income. Clinical determinants linked with psychological problems included low compliance and suboptimal growth response after 1 year of GH therapy. Clinical determinants associated with internalizing difficulties included growth status and treatment status. Sociodemographic determinants, such as female gender and age < 9 years, were also linked with internalizing difficulties.

Reference
Aryayev M, Senkivska L, Lowe JB. Psycho-Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Children With Growth Hormone Deficiency. Front Pediatr. 2021;9:707648. doi: 10.3389/fped.2021.707648. PMID: 34631612; PMCID: PMC8495251.