A comparison of alexithymia and the social skills in students with and without learning disorders

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 ph.d.student, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil branch

2 Assistant Professor, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili

3 Ph.D. student, Payam.eNoor University, Ardabil branch

4 Assistant Professor, Ardabil University of Medical sciences

jld-1-1-90-7-6

Abstract

The purpose of the present study
was to compare alexithymia and social skills in
students with and without learning disorders.
From among students with LD (N=157)
enrolled in special schools in the city of
Ardabil, 18 boys and 18 girls with LD were
selected using a simple random sampling
method and compared with 18boys and 18 girls
without LD, matched for age, educational level,
IQ, and parental education. The Toronto
Alexithymia scale and Matson Evaluation of
Social Skills with Youngsters were
administered. A causal-comparative research
method was used and data were analyzed using
multivariate variance analysis of variance.
Results showed that students with LD have
significant difficulty in describing, and
identifying feelings and in externally oriented
thinking. Furthermore, LD children reported
fewer appropriate social skills, and greater
inappropriate assertion, jealousy/ withdrawal
impulsivity, and overconfidence. Findings
underscore the importance of the effective
training and management of emotional and
social capabilities of students with LD.

Keywords


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