Self-esteem and quality of life in patients undergoing plastic surgery

▪ ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Self-esteem is defined by the value people place on themselves. It is an evaluative component of self-knowledge. Plastic surgery has been an alternative for people to improve their vision of themselves, feeling more confident and satisfied with their body aspects. Therefore, by increasing self-esteem in these people, surgery is capable of positively interfering not only with body self-assessment but also in the psychosocial dimension.

Method:

A prospective longitudinal descriptive and analytical observational study was carried out in which the impact of plastic surgery on self-esteem and personal and professional relationships was assessed. We applied a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, in addition to the abbreviated WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-bref) in patients in the preoperative period and who will undergo plastic surgery at least 3 months after surgery. surgery, thus determining whether or not self-esteem and quality of life improve.

Results:

52 patients participated in the research, 48 of whom were women (92.3%), with a mean age of 37±11 years. Through the application of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, we were able to notice an evolution in self-esteem, in which patients presented an average of 29.87±2.10 points in the preoperative period score, rising to 34.92±1.84 points in the postoperative period (p<0.001). In the WHOQOL-bref, an improvement in self-esteem was obtained through the scores of the 4 domains.

Conclusion:

Through this study, an increase in self-esteem and quality of life was evidenced.

Keywords:

Surgery, plastic - Self Concept - Psychosocial impact - Quality of life - Plastic surgery procedures - Surveys and questionnaires

Institution: Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.

Publication History

Received: 12 August 2023

Accepted: 05 December 2024

Article published online:
20 May 2025

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