Introduction: Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is the title used for naming children who in terms of the acquisition and perform motor skills is poor and daily activities are much weaker than their peers and have delay compared to their chronological age, while haven’t physical or neurological problem. This children avoid to participate in games and activities. Reduced participation in sport and physical activity may be as a result of poor psychological skills such as self-esteem. The purpose of this study was to examine the difference of self-esteem in children with and without DCD.
Methodology: Participants included children aged 7 to 11 years of Abadan city. The sample comprised two groups: DCD and healthy groups included 16 child. To measure self-esteem of the child used of Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC) and they completed questionnaire. SPPC questionnaire had 36 questions in six subscales of the self-esteem that measured children aged 7 to 11 years old. To analyze the results of two groups ANOVA was used.
Results: the results of ANOVA test, showed that children with DCD in all six subscales of self-esteem included Scholastic Competence (F(1.30)=43.50, P<0.001), social competence (F(1.30)=34.90, P<0.001) Athletic Competence (F(1.30)=20.92, P<0.001), Physical Appearance (F(1.30)=33.37, P<0.001), Behavioral Conduct (F(1.30)=5.63, P=0.024) and Global Self- Worth (F(1.30)=18.50, P=0.00016), significantly poor than healthy children.
Discussion: Based on findings, it was found that children with DCD have lower self-esteem than healthy children. Low self-esteem leads to children fear of poorly perform in games and physical activities, and therefore haven't participate in such activities. Failure in peer group activities also decrease self-esteem, as the result of comparison of themselves to the peer group.