Self-esteem in learning disabled children : the role of social competence
Abstract
This study compared the self-esteem of a group
of twenty-one socially and behaviourally competent
learning disabled (LD) children, aged 8-12, with that
of a group of fifteen socially and behaviourally
competent normally achieving (NA) children. Measures
used were the Self-Perception Profile for Learning
Disabled Students (SPPLDS) and the Social Support Scale
for Children (SSSC). The hypotheses that the two groups
would not differ in the SPPLDS domains of Social
Acceptance and Global Self-Esteem were supported. The
hypothesis that the LD children would rate themselves
lower in the academic domains was partially supported,
as the LD students gave themselves lower scores than
did the NA group in Reading and Spelling, but not in
Math. The SPPLDS domain of Physical Appearance
correlated strongly with self-esteem for both groups,
as did the SSSC domain of Classmate Support. Overall,
these socially competent LD children were remarkably
similar to their NA counterparts in self-esteem, selfperceived
competencies, and sources of social support,
differing mainly in academic self-concept and
abilities.
Collections
- Retrospective theses [1604]