SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS, SELF-ESTEEM, AND LONELINESS IN ADOLESCENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

Objective: Many studies have underlined that students with learning disabilities (LDs) feel that school is their main factor of frustration and reflects on their social reputations, isolation, and sociorelational discomfort. However, the role of I,Ds in psychosocial outcomes in adolescence is still unclear. In the present study, we explore the differences among three groups of adolescents (adolescents without LDs, adolescents with LDs, and adolescents with LDs who have the support of psychosocial educational intervention) in self-esteem, friendship quality, loneliness, and secrecy. Method: The sample comprised 93 adolescents, 49 males (53%) and 44 females (47%), in the 11-16 age range (M = 13.73; SD = 1.66). Participants completed measures on self-esteem (Multidimensional Self-Concept Scale), friendship quality (Friendship Quality Scale), loneliness (Loneliness and Aloneness Scale for Children and Adolescents), and secrecy (Self-Conceahnent Scale). Results: Our findings showed that students with LDs who underwent psychosocial educational intervention felt less parent-related loneliness and showed higher self-esteem than other adolescents regarding interpersonal relationships, their duties, their families, and their bodies. Conclusions: The study suggests that having the support of a psychosocial educational intervention could have a role in adolescent psychosocial adjustment.