A study on the psychological functioning of children with specific learning difficulties and typically developing children

Abstract Introduction Dyslexia is a widespread Specific Learning Difficulty, and children with dyslexia often face significant psychological difficulties due to their challenges with reading, spelling, and writing. Objective This study examines the psychological functioning of children with dyslexia...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nurul Shafira Adi, Azizah Othman, Hue San Kuay, Qarem Mohamed Mustafa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02151-4
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1846136717597212672
author Nurul Shafira Adi
Azizah Othman
Hue San Kuay
Qarem Mohamed Mustafa
author_facet Nurul Shafira Adi
Azizah Othman
Hue San Kuay
Qarem Mohamed Mustafa
author_sort Nurul Shafira Adi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Dyslexia is a widespread Specific Learning Difficulty, and children with dyslexia often face significant psychological difficulties due to their challenges with reading, spelling, and writing. Objective This study examines the psychological functioning of children with dyslexia and compares it with typically developing children. Method This cross-sectional study used the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) to evaluate behavioral issues and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to assess anxiety levels. Primary school teachers, who had known the children for at least a year, provided the reports. Data were analyzed using an independent sample t-test. Results Forty children with dyslexia (n = 40) and fifty typically developing children (n = 50) were assessed, in which both groups are predominantly boys (70%, 54%) aged 7–12 years (Mean age:9.3 ± 1.5). The results indicate a significantly greater degree of behavioural problems t(88) = 8.39,p < 0.001 among children with dyslexia compared to typically developing children. They also had higher level of anxiety t(88) = 6.81,p < 0.001 compared to typically developing children. Conclusion The findings highlight a strong connection between emotional and behavioral issues in children with dyslexia. Generally, these children are more prone to depression, anxiety, and disruptive behaviors compared to their peers. The study underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach that integrates emotional needs assessment and management into the interventions for children with dyslexia.
format Article
id doaj-art-b72c663246264244acc00f1f3b8670ff
institution Kabale University
issn 2050-7283
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Psychology
spelling doaj-art-b72c663246264244acc00f1f3b8670ff2024-12-08T12:49:55ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832024-12-0112111010.1186/s40359-024-02151-4A study on the psychological functioning of children with specific learning difficulties and typically developing childrenNurul Shafira Adi0Azizah Othman1Hue San Kuay2Qarem Mohamed Mustafa3Department of Paediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health CampusDepartment of Paediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health CampusDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health CampusDepartment of Paediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health CampusAbstract Introduction Dyslexia is a widespread Specific Learning Difficulty, and children with dyslexia often face significant psychological difficulties due to their challenges with reading, spelling, and writing. Objective This study examines the psychological functioning of children with dyslexia and compares it with typically developing children. Method This cross-sectional study used the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) to evaluate behavioral issues and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to assess anxiety levels. Primary school teachers, who had known the children for at least a year, provided the reports. Data were analyzed using an independent sample t-test. Results Forty children with dyslexia (n = 40) and fifty typically developing children (n = 50) were assessed, in which both groups are predominantly boys (70%, 54%) aged 7–12 years (Mean age:9.3 ± 1.5). The results indicate a significantly greater degree of behavioural problems t(88) = 8.39,p < 0.001 among children with dyslexia compared to typically developing children. They also had higher level of anxiety t(88) = 6.81,p < 0.001 compared to typically developing children. Conclusion The findings highlight a strong connection between emotional and behavioral issues in children with dyslexia. Generally, these children are more prone to depression, anxiety, and disruptive behaviors compared to their peers. The study underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach that integrates emotional needs assessment and management into the interventions for children with dyslexia.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02151-4ChildrenEmotional symptomsBehaviouralDyslexiaPsychological Functioning
spellingShingle Nurul Shafira Adi
Azizah Othman
Hue San Kuay
Qarem Mohamed Mustafa
A study on the psychological functioning of children with specific learning difficulties and typically developing children
BMC Psychology
Children
Emotional symptoms
Behavioural
Dyslexia
Psychological Functioning
title A study on the psychological functioning of children with specific learning difficulties and typically developing children
title_full A study on the psychological functioning of children with specific learning difficulties and typically developing children
title_fullStr A study on the psychological functioning of children with specific learning difficulties and typically developing children
title_full_unstemmed A study on the psychological functioning of children with specific learning difficulties and typically developing children
title_short A study on the psychological functioning of children with specific learning difficulties and typically developing children
title_sort study on the psychological functioning of children with specific learning difficulties and typically developing children
topic Children
Emotional symptoms
Behavioural
Dyslexia
Psychological Functioning
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02151-4
work_keys_str_mv AT nurulshafiraadi astudyonthepsychologicalfunctioningofchildrenwithspecificlearningdifficultiesandtypicallydevelopingchildren
AT azizahothman astudyonthepsychologicalfunctioningofchildrenwithspecificlearningdifficultiesandtypicallydevelopingchildren
AT huesankuay astudyonthepsychologicalfunctioningofchildrenwithspecificlearningdifficultiesandtypicallydevelopingchildren
AT qaremmohamedmustafa astudyonthepsychologicalfunctioningofchildrenwithspecificlearningdifficultiesandtypicallydevelopingchildren
AT nurulshafiraadi studyonthepsychologicalfunctioningofchildrenwithspecificlearningdifficultiesandtypicallydevelopingchildren
AT azizahothman studyonthepsychologicalfunctioningofchildrenwithspecificlearningdifficultiesandtypicallydevelopingchildren
AT huesankuay studyonthepsychologicalfunctioningofchildrenwithspecificlearningdifficultiesandtypicallydevelopingchildren
AT qaremmohamedmustafa studyonthepsychologicalfunctioningofchildrenwithspecificlearningdifficultiesandtypicallydevelopingchildren