Improving self-esteem in women diagnosed with Turner syndrome: results of a pilot intervention

Abstract

Study objective: To evaluate a brief intervention to improve the self esteem of women diagnosed with Turner syndrome (TS).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Turner Syndrome Support Society, UK.

Participants: 30 women aged 18-60 years.

Intervention: A 1-day psychology workshop targeting problems of self-esteem in women diagnosed with TS. The workshop drew on cognitive-behavioral therapy and narrative therapy skills and emphasized increased self-awareness of interpersonal difficulties and improved capacity for self-management.

Main outcome measures: Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSS); Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); bespoke user experiences questionnaire.

Results: All 30 women provided baseline data, 27/30 provided immediate post-intervention data and 22/30 provided follow-up data at 3 months. The intervention improved RSS and HADS scores at 3 months.

Conclusion: Generic skills-based psychological interventions have the potential to be adapted to provide brief and low-cost interventions to improve self-esteem and reduce psychological distress in women diagnosed with TS.

Keywords: Disorders of sex development; Psychology; Self-Esteem; Turner syndrome.