SELF-IMAGE AND SELF-ESTEEM IN CHILDREN WITH DYSLEXIA

Abstract

Children with dyslexia often face challenges beyond academic performance, which can lead to negative self-perceptions and reduced self-esteem. The association between self-image and self-esteem was assessed in the current study of sixty children with dyslexia (boys = 36, girls = 24). It was assumed that the self-image and self-esteem of children with dyslexia were directly associated with dyslexia. It was also hypothesized that children with dyslexia would have a negative self-image and low self-esteem. Children of 7-12 years (M = 9.7 SD = 1.66) were recruited from English medium schools of Faisalabad for the study. The Bangor Dyslexia Test was used as a quick screening device for finding out whether the subject’s difficulties were or were not typically dyslexic. Urdu version of Self Image Profile (Butler, 1998) was administered to children to find their self-image (positive and negative) and self-esteem (low and high). The results suggested that most children with dyslexia had a negative self-image and low self-esteem. Results depicted that 63 % of the sample had a negative self-image and 60 % of the sample had low self-esteem. Boys showed more negative self-image than girls; on the contrary, girls showed lower self-esteem than boys. It was concluded that children with dyslexia showed a negative self-image and low self-esteem. The findings of the current study might be helpful for the parents and the school teachers to get acquainted with the issue of dyslexia in the school population and its impact on their academic performance.