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Self-esteem and peer relations : a comparison between adolescents with cerebral palsy in a special school and able-bodied adolescents in a mainstream school
Author
Letchamanan, Jessica
Supervisor
Quah, May Ling
Abstract
A healthy sense of self-esteem and good peer relations are among the few elements that are important for one to reach his/her full potential. While a number of theorists have suggested that individuals with disabilities have a lower sense of self-worth compared to their able-bodied counterparts, some other empirical findings have found no significant difference between the self-esteem of both groups. In the light of this, and the lack of such studies in Singapore, this study aims to ascertain the self-esteem and peer relations of adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) in Singapore by comparing this with their able-bodied counterparts in a mainstream secondary school.
The Self-Esteem Checklist (SEC) and the Index of Peer Relations (IPR) were administered to adolescents with CP in a special school and able-bodied adolescents in a mainstream secondary school and the responses of 30 from each group were selected for data analysis based on background information that matched. This information include the variables of age, family structure, parents' educational level and family's social-economic status. The mean scores on the SEC and IPR of both groups were compared using a one-way analysis of variance. The findings indicate that adolescents with CP had a significantly higher self-esteem (p < 0.025) than their able-bodied counterparts, and that there were no significant differences between the peer relations of both groups. When the relationship between the variables of self-esteem and peer relations were examined, the results showed a positive and significant correlation between them. The main findings of the study were discussed in terms of the (a) assumptions of earlier theorists, (b) the similarity principle, (c) environmental influences and (d) the positive reactions of others. One of the most important implications of this finding is that a greater public awareness of how these individuals with CP perceive their self-worth and relations with their peers would help society better relate to these individuals, and consequently, help individuals with disabilities to maximise their potential and integrate more successfully into society.
The Self-Esteem Checklist (SEC) and the Index of Peer Relations (IPR) were administered to adolescents with CP in a special school and able-bodied adolescents in a mainstream secondary school and the responses of 30 from each group were selected for data analysis based on background information that matched. This information include the variables of age, family structure, parents' educational level and family's social-economic status. The mean scores on the SEC and IPR of both groups were compared using a one-way analysis of variance. The findings indicate that adolescents with CP had a significantly higher self-esteem (p < 0.025) than their able-bodied counterparts, and that there were no significant differences between the peer relations of both groups. When the relationship between the variables of self-esteem and peer relations were examined, the results showed a positive and significant correlation between them. The main findings of the study were discussed in terms of the (a) assumptions of earlier theorists, (b) the similarity principle, (c) environmental influences and (d) the positive reactions of others. One of the most important implications of this finding is that a greater public awareness of how these individuals with CP perceive their self-worth and relations with their peers would help society better relate to these individuals, and consequently, help individuals with disabilities to maximise their potential and integrate more successfully into society.
Date Issued
1998
Call Number
BF724.3.S36 Let
Date Submitted
1998