Session 2

Welcometo the

Self-Esteem in Second LifeWorkshop for Women with SCI

A research study conducted by:

Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) Spinal Cord Injury and Disability Research Center (SCIDR)

Reminders

• Turn off phones, pagers, and non-adaptive equipment

• Mute the speak button when not speaking

• When on a break, set your status to away

• State your name before speaking

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Today’s Session Includes:

• Discussing this past week’s action plans• Problem-solving and feedback techniques• Self-esteem and its importance for women

with SCI• Gender and disability role socialization

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Ice Breaker Questions

– If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

-or-

– If you could visit any place in the world, where would you choose to go and why?

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Action Plan Progress Review

• Tell us how things went with carrying out your action plan last week

• What barriers did you face?

• What or who encouraged you?

• How did you feel about doing your action plan?

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Problem Solving Process

1. Identify the problem2. List ideas for solving the problem3. Select one method to try

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Problem Solving Process

4. Evaluate the results (i.e., Will the suggestions solve the problem? Are the costs too great for the possible benefit?)

5. Use another method

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Problem Solving Process

6. Think about other helpful resources to use (e.g., family, friends, etc.)

7. Accept that it is possible that the problem cannot be solved at the present time

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What Is Self-Esteem?

Attitude toward oneself "I like/dislike myself."

Value placed on one's self-concept

"I'm deserving/not deserving of respect."

Assessment of one's worth

"I'm a valuable/worthless woman."

Assessment of one's competence

"I am capable/not capable of having healthy relationships." 9

What Does Research Say about the Enhancement of Self-Esteem?

• It's hard work, especially for adults• It takes time• It's a lifelong process, not a single event• Small changes have big effects over

one's lifetime

We wish it was this easy!

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Self-Esteem Enhancement for Women with SCI

• Connecting with other women with SCI• Understanding the messages about being

a woman, and a woman with a disability• Identifying and appreciating personal

strengths, limitations, and resources• Developing self-empathy (i.e., ability to

respect and accept one's own feelings and ideas)

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Self-Esteem Enhancement for Women with SCI

• Engaging in self-nurturance or self-care• Learning ways to accept and trust your

feelings• Improving communication and

assertiveness• Developing and maintaining healthy

relationships• Empowering oneself

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For Me As a Woman with SCI, Self-Esteem May Mean that I...

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For Me As a Woman with SCI, Self-Esteem May Mean that I...

• Empower myself to make choices about my life

• Express my thoughts and feelings in a manner that works best for me

• Connect with others and maintain or keep close relationship

• Appreciate my own worth14

For Me As a Woman with SCI, Self-Esteem May Mean that I...

• Use my personal right and responsibility to create and keep boundaries or set limits

• Claim and enjoy my sexuality and femininity

• Understand and nurture my inner world• Experience myself as a truly wonderful

woman with a disability15

Socialization

• Influences of our environment on our personal development

• Environment includes– our family– our particular community– the larger society

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Messages You Have Received From People In Your Environment

• What images or ideas did they give you about what it means to be female?

• What images or ideas did they create in you about what it means to have a disability?

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Messages You Have Received From People In Your Environment

• How did those images influence you about being a woman with a disability?

• What words would best describe the traditional or older beliefs about a woman with a disability?

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Socialization Messages for Women with SCI

• Think of others first– Possible effects:

• I have no right to place my needs above other people's needs

• It is better for me to give than to receive

• Be quiet and don’t draw attention to yourself– Possible effect:

• I do not have the right to share my knowledge and abilities

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Socialization Messages for Women with SCI

• Don't complain– Possible effects:

• I have no right to express my thoughts and feelings, especially anger

• I must always please others • I must be quiet

• Don't be demanding– Possible effect:

• I don't ask others for help when I need it, I am not worthy

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Socialization Messages for Women with SCI

• Be perfect– Possible effect:

• I don't accept myself as I am. I am constantly putting myself down or trying never to make a mistake

• Women can't be trusted– Possible effect:

• I am left out of important decisions and not trusted with important information

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Socialization Messages for Women with SCI

• Hide your disability– Possible effect:

• I have no right to be proud of myself as a woman with a physical disability

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ACTION PLAN

• Goal

• This week I will • How much or how long

• When

• How many times during the week

• How confident you are (1-10)23

Exercises for Next Week

• Look up the exercises for Session 3• Exercises include an introduction and six

forms• Fill them out between now and next

week’s session• Bring them to next week’s session

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This Week You Will:

• Come back to this location and review these materials carefully

• Complete the Goal Setting and Action Planning forms

• Work on your Action Plan throughout the week• Complete Session 3 Exercises 1- 6 before next

week's session

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