Iranian adolescents with Scoliosis: Effects of Brace Treatment on Self-esteem, Body Image Concern and Quality of Life

Objective: The purpose of the present research was to measure quality of life, body image concern and self-esteem in 237 Iranian adolescents aged 12 to 18 years as these variables seem to be very important in patients’ psychological well being as well as compliance to treatment.
Methods: Participants were divided into those with scoliosis under full time brace treatment; those with scoliosis but not under brace treatment those without scoliosis. Participants completed questionnaires measuring self-esteem, concern for body image and quality of life (QoL).
Results: Results showed that adolescents with scoliosis reported lower scores in self-esteem compared to normal adolescents and adolescents who were using brace reported significantly lower QoL and greater body image concern compared to the other groups. In the latter measure, there was no significant difference between normal adolescents and adolescents with scoliosis who were not under brace treatment. Sex differences in scores of self-esteem indicate that girls reported significantly lower self-esteem compared to boys. There were no significant sex differences in scores of body image concern. As far as QoL was concerned, girls wearing brace reported significantly less satisfaction with life than all the other groups.
Conclusions: Results are discussed in terms of the importance of psychological aspects of wearing brace in the prevention and treatment of scoliosis and the need to design intervention programs in order to provide psychological support for adolescents suffering from scoliosis.