P6 · Low self-worth
Actual Emotions and mind
Definition
A negative view of oneself, often after illness, loss, or change.- Body change
- job loss
- illness
- criticism
- failure
- Negative self-talk
- avoids eye contact
- apologizes a lot
- reluctant to try
📋 Scenario
After a stroke, a former teacher says he is useless.
Subjective (S): "I'm useless now."
Objective (O): Former teacher; avoids eye contact; says he is a burden; refuses to try tasks.
Assessment tools for this scenario: CP-MIND Mood & Mind Screen
Validated scales to consider: PHQ-9, GAD-7, C-SSRS
**CarePath diagnosis:** Low self-worth related to body change, as evidenced by negative self-talk and avoids eye contact.
**Interventions and rationale**
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Reflect strengths. | Naming the strengths he still has, such as his teaching skills, challenges the belief that he is useless and helps rebuild his sense of identity. |
| Praise efforts. | Praising effort, not only results, encourages him to keep trying after a stroke when success may be slow. |
| Give him a role in his care. | A role in his own care gives him purpose and responsibility, which counters feeling like a burden. |
| Avoid shaming. | Shaming or teasing damages self-worth further and may lead him to withdraw, so avoiding it protects his dignity and trust. |
| Set achievable goals. | Goals he can reach build a pattern of success, which gradually improves confidence and willingness to try tasks. |
| Offer counseling if needed. | Counseling gives professional support for deep feelings about loss of role and ability, and can also help spot depression. |
**Expected outcomes**
- Within 1 week: names one strength, tries a task with support, shows a brighter mood.
**Linking the data to the diagnosis**
After a stroke, the former teacher says, "I'm useless now." The nurse notes he avoids eye contact, says he is a burden and refuses to try tasks. His negative view of himself is present now, so this is an actual problem related to body change. The plan aims, within 1 week, for him to name one strength, try a task with support and show a brighter mood, by reflecting strengths, praising efforts and giving him a role in his care.
CarePath diagnosis
Low self-worth related to body change, as evidenced by negative self-talk and avoids eye contact.
Interventions and rationale
Listed in priority order.
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| 1. Reflect strengths. | Naming the strengths he still has, such as his teaching skills, challenges the belief that he is useless and helps rebuild his sense of identity. |
| 2. Praise efforts. | Praising effort, not only results, encourages him to keep trying after a stroke when success may be slow. |
| 3. Give him a role in his care. | A role in his own care gives him purpose and responsibility, which counters feeling like a burden. |
| 4. Avoid shaming. | Shaming or teasing damages self-worth further and may lead him to withdraw, so avoiding it protects his dignity and trust. |
| 5. Set achievable goals. | Goals he can reach build a pattern of success, which gradually improves confidence and willingness to try tasks. |
| 6. Offer counseling if needed. | Counseling gives professional support for deep feelings about loss of role and ability, and can also help spot depression. |
Expected outcomes
- Within 1 week: names one strength, tries a task with support, shows a brighter mood.
Linking the data to the diagnosis
After a stroke, the former teacher says, "I'm useless now." The nurse notes he avoids eye contact, says he is a burden and refuses to try tasks. His negative view of himself is present now, so this is an actual problem related to body change. The plan aims, within 1 week, for him to name one strength, try a task with support and show a brighter mood, by reflecting strengths, praising efforts and giving him a role in his care.