The Role of Self-Esteem and Emotional Intelligence in Predicting the Resilience of Students with Hearing Impairment

Hearing is one of the most important human senses that its impairment can influence the process of environmental adaptation and may lead to the delay of mental and cognitive development and processing. Resilience indicates the skills and capabilities that empower the individual to adapt with the life challenges, problems, and struggles. Therefore, the present research mainly aimed to investigate the role of emotional intelligence and self-esteem in predicting the resilience of students with hearing impairment.    

The present study was a correlational research. The sample consisted of eighty one 10-13 year old male and female primary school students with hearing impairment in Shiraz who were selected through convenience sampling. Levels of resilience, self-esteem, and emotional intelligence were measured by Connor-Davidson resilience scale (2003), Coopersmith's self-esteem inventory (1967), and Shring emotional intelligence questionnaire (1999), respectively. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation and stepwise regression.

The results of this study showed a significant positive correlation between resilience and emotional intelligence and self-esteem (p<0.05). Also, results of stepwise regression showed that emotional intelligence can predicts 33% of the resilience variance (p<0.002). Furthermore, the variable of self-esteem generally can predicts 24% of the resilience variance (p <0.025).

Based on the findings of this study on the role of emotional intelligence and self-esteem in predicting resilience in students with hearing loss, it can be concluded that by increasing these constructs in these students, their flexibility and level of adaptation can be improved.