The self-esteem of children with physical disabilities: a review of the research

The prevalent view is that children with physical disabilities are likely to have greater emotional and psychological problems, including lower self-esteem, than that of their able-bodied peers ( Arnold & Chapman, 1992 ). The basis for this is explored and the psychological research analysed to see whether it supports such a view. The analysis highlights the assumptions that have been made when researching this area, and the methodological difficulties in the research. The findings are that present research does not support the view that children with physical disabilities have a lower self-esteem than their able-bodied peers. It is suggested that a recognition of the psychological resilience of these children may be a helpful starting point when considering future research in this area.