Social Status Differences among Subgroups of LD Boys

Abstract

The present study examined the sociometric status of subgroups of learning disabled (LD) boys. Groups were based on differences in Verbal IQ/Performance IQ patterns on the WISC-R: V > P (n = 12); P > V (n = 26); and V = P (n = 27). Data were also available for a normal control group (n = 252). Peer nominations of popularity, rejection, and behavioral problems as well as teacher ratings of externalizing behaviors were collected for each subject. Results indicated that, relative to controls, the boys in the V = P group were most often rejected by their peers and were perceived to be more aggressive than participants in the other two LD groups. Additionally, boys in the P > V and V = P groups were significantly less popular than normal controls. In contrast, boys in the V > P group were found to exhibit few peer-relations problems. These results suggest that not all LD boys are at equal risk for peer problems, and that their pattern of scores on cognitive tests may offer insight in to factors that could account for the social status difficulties experienced by LD individuals.