Comparison of self efficacy, emotional disorder and Loneliness between normal students and those with learning disability

The aim of this study was to determine and compare self-efficacy, emotional disorder, and perceived loneliness in students with learning disability students and normal students. An ex post facto design was used. Statistical population comprised of all students in third, fourth and fifth grades of elementary school in four educational districts in Alborz province during the 2009 - 2010 academic year. 40 students with learning ability between the ages of 9 - 12 were randomly selected and were matched with with 40 normal students. Research instruments were Bandura’s (2000) Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Rutter’s (1967) Teacher Questionnaire and Asher, Hymel and Renshaw’s (1984) Perceived Loneliness Scale. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance. Results showed that there was a significant difference in self-efficacy, emotional disorders, and loneliness scores between normal students and those with learning diabilities. In other words, scores of self-efficacy in normal students was higher than in children with learning disabilities and the latter showed higher scores emotional disorder and perceived loneliness than normal children. According to findings of the present study, it is concluded that an increase in self-efficacy of students with learning disabilities can reduce emotional disturbance and feeling of loneliness.