Features of Frustration Behavior in Left-Handed Children of Primary School Age

Abstract

Сhanges in the social situation of development of primary school students are accompanied by frustrating situations. However, there is a lack of comparative studies of frustration behavior of left-handed children is emphasized. Purpose of the work: to compare the features of the frustration behavior of left-handed and right-handed junior schoolchildren. Research hypotheses: H1: between left-handed and right-handed younger students there are differences in the nature of reactions to a frustrating situation; H2: left-handed younger students show higher levels of anxiety and fear. 124 elementary school students were compared: with the leading left hand (n=62) and the leading right hand (n=62). 70 are boys and 54 are girls. The following methods were used: “S. Rosenzweig test. The technique of pictorial frustration. Children’s version”; “Self-assessment test. Characteristics of emotionality”; “Children’s version of the scale of apparent anxiety”; “Questionnaire for identifying fears”. Hypotheses were tested for statistically significant differences using the parametric Student’s t-test and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test. The effect size is calculated using Cohen’s d value. The influence of independent factors (gender and leading hand) on the studied indicators was checked using two-way ANOVA. It was shown that in a situation of frustration in left-handed children, more often than in right-handed children, there is a tendency to fixation on an obstacle (p≤0.01), and extrapunitive reactions (p≤0.05). The results of the study are focused on practical application in the field of education and can be used in the development of programs of psychological and pedagogical support for left-handed children.