Clothing Importance and Self-Perception of Female Adolescents with and without Scoliosis

Sample groups of 35 female adolescents with scoliosis and 35 peers without scoliosis were studied. The purposes of this research were (1) to investigate differences in selected clothing importance factors and self-perception domains between the two groups, and (2) to investigate the relationship between clothing importance and setf-perception within and between groups. Clothing variables were operationally defined by scores on an instrument used to measure the following clothing factors: conformity in clothing, modesty in clothing, psychological awareness of clothing, clothing to enhance self-concept, and interest in clothing. The Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents measured social acceptance, athletic competence, romantic appeal, physical attractiveness, and global self-worth. Data were analyzed using t-tests, Pearson Product Moment correlations, and Fisher's z r transformation. There was a difference between the two groups on only one clothing measure; the scoliosis sample had significantly lower scores on clothing to enhance self concept than did their peers. Significant differences were found between groups on all setf-perception variables with the scoliosis sample having the lower scores. Within groups 13 significant relationships were found between clothing importance and setf-perception for the scoliosis group and only two for the comparison group.