The Relations Between Behavioral Problems and Demographic Variables in Students With Visual Impairment

Abstract

Objectives: The most distinctive group of people with sensory disabilities is those with visual impairment. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between behavioral problems and demographic variables in students with visual impairment in the academic year of 2018-2019 in Tehran City, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted on students with visual impairment studying in four schools of exceptional children at the elementary and high school levels. The research population was 400, and the sample size was estimated at 200 using Cochran’s formula. The sampling was carried out using the random cluster sampling method, where the floors of the school were considered and visually-impaired students were selected randomly from each school based on the number of students. Demographic characteristics questionnaire and Rutter behavior evaluation questionnaire (teacher form) were used to collect data. Results: The Mean±SD behavioral problems score was 12.9±10.7. According to the results, there was a negative and significant correlation between the subscales of behavioral problems with age and duration of the impairment. A significant difference was found in the mean of behavioral problems of visually-impaired or blind children caused by accident with those with congenital and hereditary problems. The regression model showed a significant difference between male and female subjects in terms of behavioral problems in a short duration after the injury (≤5 years). Discussion: Given the relationship between behavioral problems with gender and duration of injury, it is recommended that interventions be carried out during the first few years of injury, especially for female individuals, to prevent or reduce the severity of behavioral problems.