Self-esteem among People Living with Physical Disability Visting Rehabilitation Centers of Kathmandu, Nepal: An Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION

Self-esteem is a comprehensive personal evaluation of an individual's worth that involves a person's perception of self, it functions as a defense mechanism that individuals possess to safeguard themselves from psychological harm. This study aims to assess the prevalence of selfesteem and its associated factors among people living with physical disability.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among people living with a physical disability residing inside Kathmandu Valley from August to November 2022 after acquiring ethical approval from institutional review committee of CiST College (Reference number: IRC/161/078/079). A total of 215 samples were taken for the study. A face-to-face interview technique was applied for data collection consisting of the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Bivariate analysis applying a Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression was carried out to identify the factors associated with selfesteem at 95% Confidence Interval and 5% level of significance (p-value <0.05).

RESULTS

It was observed that 71 (33.02%) participants had lower levels of self-esteem. Education, family type, the severity of disability, and family affection were the factors associated with self-esteem in bivariate analysis. In multivariable analysis, informal education (aOR: 3.932; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.129-13.696), poor family relationships were (aOR: 2.237; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.029-5.507), perceived severity of disability (aOR: 3.129; 95% 95% Confidence Interval: 1.341-7.300) to be associated with lower self-esteem.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings reveal that a significant portion of participants, approximately one-third, experience lower levels of self-esteem. Furthermore, factors such as education, family type, severity of disability, and family affection emerged as significant influencers of self-esteem.