ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF NEGATIVE SELF-IMAGE AMONG SELECTED CATEGORIES OF NIGERIANS

The aim of this study was to assess the nature and characteristics of negative selfimage
among selected categories of Nigerians and manage those that manifested high
negative self-image. In doing this, the study was carried out in two phases namely: the
test development and standardization of Negative Self-Image phase and the assessment
and management phase. In the test development phase, test items that constitute the
Negative Self-Image Inventory (NSII) were generated and pilot-tested on a sample of 30
participants. The final version was then administered to a sample of 500 selected
Nigerians (250 males and 250 females), comprising professional athletes, keep-fit
exercisers, orthopaedic patients, psychiatric out-patients as well as others from normal
population (that is, those not categorized under the aforementioned groups). NSII was
administered concurrently with a similar test instrument - Fear of Negative Evaluation
(FNE), so as to determine its concurrent validity.
In the assessment and management phase, NSII in addition with the following tests
instruments (FNE), Adjective Checklist (ACL), Index of Self Esteem (ISE), Illness
Behaviour Questionnaire (IBQ); Physical Self-Efficacy Scale (PSE) and Social
Maladjustment Scale (SMS) were administered to 400 participants made up of 50
orthopaedic patients, 50 professional athletes, 50 keep-fit exercisers, 50 psychiatric outpatients
and 200 'normal' participants. Those that manifested high negative self-image
(30 participants), were subjected to 3 treatment groups of 1" treatment, 2"d treatment
(placebo) and control groups, and were managed with Rational Emotive Behaviour