A Concept Analysis of Self-Concept in Street Child Laborers

Self-concept or self-perception is a person’s own imagination and idea about himself/herself. Self-concept has a competent effect on one’s psychological and educational conditions, and can lead to either the individual’s growth and excellence or multiple harms. Self-concept in child laborers is an important factor in harm prevention and the provision of their required services. This analysis aims to clarify the self-concept in street child laborers compared with its classic definitions.
This concept analysis study was done using Walker & Avant approach. After an extensive review of the relevant articles, all papers with quantitative and qualitative research design were assessed, and based on that, the definition, uses, attributes, antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents of self-concept were extracted.
Street child laborers have to work because of their living conditions, and this fact has led to positive and negative changes in their self-concept. Specific traits of self-concept in child laborers are "being aware of own potential as a sense of responsibility towards family, and financial independence", "interacting with others and forming support groups while competing with each other", "the influence of various variables on internal and external dimensions of self-concept", "being flexible and influenced by education", "acceptance and compatibility with the existing status" and "lack of understanding of the ways to deal with the harm".
The self-concept in street child laborers should be deeply studied and compared to its classic definition to prevent physical, psychological and social harms by providing the required support and needs-based training.