Loneliness and coherence among preschool children with learning disabilities. 1998

M Margalit
School of Education, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.

This study investigated loneliness and coherence among Israeli preschool children with learning disabilities, in an attempt to identify the sources of social deficits before academic failure was established. The sample consisted of 187 preschool children divided into three groups: (a) 60 children at high risk for developing learning disabilities (LD) in six mainstreamed preschool settings (47 boys and 13 girls), (b) 76 nonhandicapped peers from the same preschools (56 boys and 20 girls), and (c) 51 children (38 boys and 13 girls) at high risk for developing LD who were regular students at 17 preschools and received special help in the afternoons outside their educational settings, at a regional learning center for students with LD. The research instruments consisted of the Children's Sense of Coherence Scale, the Loneliness Scale, a peer nomination procedure, and teachers' ratings. Two-way MANOVAs demonstrated that the two groups of children (Groups [A] and [C]) with LD and with a high risk for developing learning disabilities experienced higher levels of loneliness and lower levels of coherence. A subgroup examination revealed that they were less accepted by nondisabled peers and had less reciprocal nominations. Furthermore, their teachers viewed them as showing more maladjustment.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007557 Israel A country in the Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon. The capital is Jerusalem.
D007859 Learning Disabilities Conditions characterized by a significant discrepancy between an individual's perceived level of intellect and their ability to acquire new language and other cognitive skills. These may result from organic or psychological conditions. Relatively common subtypes include DYSLEXIA, DYSCALCULIA, and DYSGRAPHIA. Adolescent Learning Disabilities,Adult Learning Disabilities,Child Learning Disabilities,Developmental Academic Disability,Developmental Academic Disorder,Developmental Disabilities of Scholastic Skills,Learning Disabilities, Adolescent,Learning Disabilities, Child,Learning Disorders,Academic Disorder, Developmental,Adult Learning Disorders,Developmental Disorders of Scholastic Skills,Learning Disorders, Adult,Learning Disturbance,Scholastic Skills Development Disorders,Academic Disabilities, Developmental,Academic Disability, Developmental,Academic Disorders, Developmental,Adolescent Learning Disability,Adult Learning Disability,Adult Learning Disorder,Child Learning Disability,Developmental Academic Disabilities,Developmental Academic Disorders,Disabilities, Adolescent Learning,Disabilities, Adult Learning,Disabilities, Child Learning,Disabilities, Developmental Academic,Disabilities, Learning,Disability, Adolescent Learning,Disability, Adult Learning,Disability, Child Learning,Disability, Developmental Academic,Disability, Learning,Disorder, Learning,Disorders, Adult Learning,Disorders, Learning,Disturbance, Learning,Disturbances, Learning,Learning Disabilities, Adult,Learning Disability,Learning Disability, Adolescent,Learning Disability, Adult,Learning Disability, Child,Learning Disorder,Learning Disorder, Adult,Learning Disturbances
D008132 Loneliness The state of feeling sad or dejected as a result of lack of companionship or being separated from others. Homesickness
D008282 Mainstreaming, Education Most frequently refers to the integration of a physically or mentally disabled child into the regular class of normal peers and provision of the appropriately determined educational program. Educational Mainstreaming,Mainstreaming (Education),Mainstreaming, Educational,Education Mainstreaming
D008297 Male Males
D010552 Personality Assessment The determination and evaluation of personality attributes by interviews, observations, tests, or scales. Articles concerning personality measurement are considered to be within scope of this term. Assessment, Personality,Assessments, Personality,Personality Assessments
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D004519 Education, Special Education of the individual who markedly deviates intellectually, physically, socially, or emotionally from those considered to be normal, thus requiring special instruction. Special Education,Educations, Special,Special Educations
D005260 Female Females

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