Self-concept of children of leprosy patients.

20 children of leprosy patients living with their parents and 30 institutionalized children of leprosy patients were compared with a matched group of 30 children of healthy parents on the variable of self-concept. The Ss were 11–18 yrs old. Two open-ended probes, "Tell us about yourself" and "Tell us about what you are not," were used. Children of leprosy patients had a negative self-concept as compared with children of healthy parents. Institutionalized children of leprosy patients had a more negative self-concept as compared with children of leprosy patients living with parents. This low self-concept is attributed to (1) parents' negative self-image and shame, (2) social seclusion, and (3) societal attitudes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)