Self-Perception and Psychological Well-Being as Determinants of Classroom Behavior of Students With and Without Learning Disability

Background: Studies in the field of learning disability (LD) have repeatedly shown that majority of the LD students experience negative social comparisons, result in negative self-perception (SP), especially in the classrooms. Literature has also described that these students are more prone to develop mental health issues which may reflect in the way they behave within the classroom. Though studies have been found done separately on some of the dimensions of SP, psychological well-being (PWB), and classroom behavior (CRB) on learning disabled and their normal peers, no scientific study was found done together either in India or abroad. Objectives: The study aims at comparing the differences in SP, PWB, and CRB of students with and without LD. The study has also attempted to assess the relationship and influence of SP and PWB on CRB of the learning-disabled students from the schools of Kerala. Method: A representative sample of learning disabled (N = 225) and normal pupils (N = 260) was selected for the study. The data was collected using a scale of SP, mental health profile, and CRB inventory along with a personal information sheet. The data was analyzed using (a) independent t test (two tailed t test for significant difference between the means of independent samples), (b) computation of statistical indices like mean, percentages, and standard deviation, (c) Pearson’s product moment coefficient of correlation (r), and (d) stepwise multiple regression analysis. Result: Results indicated that the pupils with LD were found to show lower SP, low PWB, and exhibit poor CRB in comparison to their normal peers. It was observed that there is a significant positive relationship found among all the major variables under the study namely, SP, PWB, and CRB of the learning-disabled students in the schools of Kerala. Findings also revealed that SP and PWB has a combined effect on CRB and PWB was found to be a better predictor of CRB of the learning-disabled students. Conclusion: The result of the study implies the need for enhancing the SP and PWB of LD students so as to improve their CRB with the help of psychologists, special educators, teachers, and other school authorities.