Reviews and Abstracts 221

sickle-cell patients. Both analyses indicated an increased angulation of the oc- clusal plane for the sickle-cell group. All other skeletodental measurements were similar for both groups.

The information obtained certainly indicates the need for further study of this group cm a larger basis, particularly in view of the difficulty in drawing con- clusions and making generalizations about such a widely varying population as the North American Kegroes.

The Stability of the Self-Concept During Orthodontic Treatment and the

Relationship Between Self-Concept and Patient Cooperation

Malcolm Robinson and Michael H. Pierce Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa.

A longitudinal study of the stability of the self-concept was conducted over a period of 10 months. The patients consisted of six boys and eleven girls who had commenced treatment. Within the group there were three cleft palate pa- tients. The mean age was 13.5 years.

A test and retest system, using the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, was em- ployed at the beginning and end of the lo-month period. The degree of coopera- tion was determined by scoring a questionnaire completed by the patient’s ortho- dontist at the end of the 10 months. The patient’s self-concept was determined by nine individual scores on the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale. Through statistical analysis, tho stability of the self-concept and the area of self-concept that related best to noncooperation were analyzed.

The study revealed that thirteen of the seventeen patients had a more posi- tive self-concept after 10 months. The mean increase was 25 points on the total self-concept score. Ranking of the total self-concept scores showed minimal shifting of t.he patient’s group rank during the 10 months. A Spearman product- movement correlation of these ranked scores was 0.82. Although individual self-concepts became more positive, the group ranking pattern of self-concept was relatively stable.

In general, the patients demonstrated a consistent individual serial profile pattern of self-concept growth. When the pattern did change, there was a rela- tive over-all change (usually more positive) as opposed to isolated changes in specific areas of self-concept.

The cleft-palate patients showed no specific or divergent self-concept pattern. In general, patients who showed initial negative self-concept and who were

nncooperative tended to become more negative in their self-concept. ITowever, a low total self-concept was not a valid predictor of poor cooperation. The four patients who demonstrated poor cooperation also scored lowest in the family-self area of the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale. A low score in the area of family-self is a valid prctlictor of poor cooperation. Good cooperation was consistent with initial high total self-concept scores.