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Gender difference in self-esteem of Hong Kong Chinese with cardiac diseases

2003; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 26; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/01.mrr.0000054803.81886.8b

1473-5660

J.Y.Y. Ng, Sammi Tam, D.W.K. Man, L.C. Cheng, S.W. Chiu,

Aging and Gerontology Research

Self-esteem is an indicator of a person's subjective quality of life due to its close relationship to a person's behavioural competence, positive self-experience, and sense of self-actualization. The present study aimed to investigate the basis of self-esteem in people with cardiac diseases, according to gender, after their cardiac surgery. The findings showed that there were prominent gender differences in the subjects' self-esteem. Women (aged<60) showed statistically significant higher ratings in the importance of 11 life events importance and the satisfaction of three life events than men. The study also found cultural uniqueness: Hong Kong Chinese (both men and women) with cardiac diseases generally indicated that social (interpersonal) self-concept dimensions were more important than achievement (personal) self-concept dimensions in their life perception. These findings are noteworthy for setting optimum goals of rehabilitation apart from return to work.