Factors Influencing Development of Self-Concept in Infants: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The current systematic review is executed for the identification of factors influencing development of self-concept in infants. The growth of the infant is characterized by changes in the physiological and cognitive self, including prominent factors such as role of caregivers/parents, imitation and social learning, cognitive development, and sensory perceptions. Following the PICo Guidelines, the meta-synthesis was carried out to explore the relationship between the development of self-concept in infants under two years and the factors influencing its development. Databases including Google Scholar, Consensus, National Institute of Health, Scispace, PubMed, Elicit and ResearchGate were utilized in the search, administering the keywords relating to self-concepts and infants. Of the preliminary 150 articles, approximately fifty-four met the inclusion criteria and provided valuable insight into what aspects of the external and internal environment of an infant influence the ecological and interpersonal self-growth. There is a positive relationship between the parent’s love and warmth and the self-concept of infants. Moreover, family symphony and type of parenting play a significant role in how infants perceive themselves along with secure maternal attachment, whereas infants that have an insecure relationship with their mothers tend to have lower self-worth and poor psychosocial functioning. The cognitive development of the infant also plays a notable role in the development of self, due to the cognitive mapping of intuitive processes in infants. Perception of senses such as touch and vision also play a substantial role because of proprioception and optical flow impacting self-recognition.