Visibility of handicap, self-concept, and social maturity among young adult survivors of end-stage renal disease.

This study examined the relationship between visibility of handicap and both self-image and social maturity in young adult survivors of end-stage renal disease. Ratings of visibility of handicap, social maturity, and a self-report measure of self-image were obtained through interviews with 31 patients. Results showed that visibility was inversely correlated with identity stability (p less than 0.05), social maturity (p less than 0.025), and self-esteem (p greater than 0.10), while jointly controlling for patients' age and years since last transplant. Although patients with visible handicaps remain at risk for maladjustment, many developed positive coping strategies in order to face the developmental challenges of adulthood.