Self-Perceptions Of Nonhandicapped Children And Children With Learning Disabilities In Integrated Classes

Abstract

Based largely on social comparison theory, it was hypothesized that self-perceptions of scholastic competence, behavioral conduct, and global self-worth are (a) lower among children with learning disabilities (LD) in integrated classes than among nonhandicapped (NH) children in the same classes, and (b) higher among NH children in integrated classes than among NH children in nonintegrated classes. Scores of 341 third graders (52 LD Integrated, 164 NH Integrated, and 125 NH Nonintegrated) on the Self-Perception Profile for Children (Harter, 1985) provided general support for the first hypothesis, but limited support for the second hypothesis. Sex differences were found, as were Placement Group x Sex interactions. Results also indicated that measures of self-perceptions of scholastic competence, behavioral conduct, and global self-worth provided redundant information in the discrimination between LD Integrated and NH Integrated groups. Findings suggest that integration is unlikely to have a positive effect on the self-perceptions of children with learning disabilities, but may well enhance the self-perceptions of NH children, particularly NH boys.